Man Jailed for Child Sex Offences

Police have welcomed the sentencing of a 41-year-old man for a number of child sex offences.

Jonathon Conaghan, of no fixed abode, was convicted of two charges of sexual assault of a child under 13, one charge of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, sexual communication with a child, two charges of voyeurism and meeting a child following grooming.

The conviction relates to offences that took place when Mr Conaghan was involved with a theatre group and ended last year. He was arrested in England following PSNI collaboration with the Hampshire Constabulary.

Mr Conaghan was sentenced to two years and eight months imprisonment at Laganside Crown Court on Wednesday 28 August.

Half of the sentence is to be served in custody and half on licence, while he will also be required to sign the sex offenders' register for life, is disqualified from working with children and will be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention order for eight years.

Detective Constable Lizzie Ballentine from the PSNI's Public Protection Branch said: "Conaghan abused his position of trust, grooming and sexually abusing a young boy.

"Detectives in PSNI's Public Protection Branch are committed to investigating all reports of sexual offences against children and young people. We will seek to place offenders before the courts so they can be made amenable for their crimes and we have specially trained officers who will treat victims with sensitivity and respect. I would continue to encourage anyone who has experienced any form of sexual abuse to contact police on 101."



(JG/MH)