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19/04/2006
Three year sentence for man who imprisoned child
A 37-year-old man has today been given a three year jail sentence after imprisoning a child in a toilet cubicle in a County Antrim restaurant.
Richard McFarland, from River Court in Dunmurry, pleaded guilty to the charge of the false imprisonment of the child, which happened at the Harbour Bar in Portrush in April, 2004.
The family had gone to the restaurant for a meal when the incident happened.
Ballymena Crown Court heard how the defendant grabbed the eight-year-old boy as he was washing his hands in the toilets and pulled him into the cubicle.
It was reported that McFarland continually told the boy not to panic.
The incident was interrupted when the child's mother came looking for her son after becoming concerned about the length of time he was taking.
When the woman called to her son, Richard McFarland ran out of the toilets and made his escape from the restaurant.
Judge David Smyth today told the court that although no actual sexual offence had taken place, McFarland presented a risk to children.
(EF/SP)
Richard McFarland, from River Court in Dunmurry, pleaded guilty to the charge of the false imprisonment of the child, which happened at the Harbour Bar in Portrush in April, 2004.
The family had gone to the restaurant for a meal when the incident happened.
Ballymena Crown Court heard how the defendant grabbed the eight-year-old boy as he was washing his hands in the toilets and pulled him into the cubicle.
It was reported that McFarland continually told the boy not to panic.
The incident was interrupted when the child's mother came looking for her son after becoming concerned about the length of time he was taking.
When the woman called to her son, Richard McFarland ran out of the toilets and made his escape from the restaurant.
Judge David Smyth today told the court that although no actual sexual offence had taken place, McFarland presented a risk to children.
(EF/SP)
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