AMANDA MCCLEAN FROM RICHHILL, CO ARMAGH ESCAPES JAIL AFTER GROOMING TEENAGE GIRL

In a case that has shocked the community of Richhill in County Armagh, Amanda McClean, a 50-year-old woman with a history of fostering children, was found guilty of serious offences involving a 14-year-old schoolgirl. Despite the gravity of her actions, McClean narrowly avoided imprisonment, a decision that has sparked considerable debate and concern among local residents and authorities alike.

Judge Gordon Kerr QC presided over the case, which concluded after a week-long trial. The jury, after deliberating for only 40 minutes, unanimously convicted McClean on six counts related to her inappropriate conduct towards the underage girl. These charges included four counts of sexual communication with a minor, one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and another of meeting a child following sexual grooming. The offences took place between October 3 and October 11, 2018, and involved disturbing exchanges that revealed a calculated attempt to manipulate and exploit the young girl.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that McClean had met the teenager through a relative a few months prior to the offences. The victim, who was 14 at the time, was subjected to a series of inappropriate messages sent via her mobile phone. Teachers at her school had confiscated her device, and her mother, upon reviewing the messages, discovered numerous instances of sexualized conversations. The judge described the content of these messages as highly explicit, with one message reading, “I can’t wait to get at you properly. It’s going to be mind blowing. I’m horny as f***.”

The court heard that McClean had engaged in sexting with the girl, with messages indicating mutual understanding that they were engaging in sexual acts while texting. Prosecutor Geraldine McCullough highlighted that some messages explicitly referenced kissing, licking, and orgasm, illustrating the disturbing nature of the communication. The messages also included statements that suggested a desire for physical intimacy, despite the girl’s young age.

When questioned during police interviews, McClean initially denied that she was responsible for the messages. However, evidence presented in court showed that the phone number used to send the messages was registered to her address, and the SIM card had been ordered online using her internet provider’s details. This evidence undermined her denial and confirmed her involvement in the grooming process.

Judge Kerr remarked that McClean’s grooming had been “so successful” that the victim initially attempted to cover for her, claiming that she and another girl had been exchanging messages. The judge emphasized that while there were no mitigating factors regarding McClean’s personal conduct or the offences, her full contesting of the case and lack of remorse were notable. The case was further complicated by the significant age difference of 31 years between McClean and her young victim, as well as the profound impact the offences had on the girl.

Although no physical sexual contact occurred, the judge described the case as “a bad kind of it’s-a-matter-of-time situation,” highlighting the severity of the grooming and sexting involved. The only mitigating factor considered was McClean’s role as the caregiver of her adopted son, who has disabilities and requires substantial care and attention. This familial circumstance was deemed “truly exceptional” and influenced the sentencing decision.

In light of these considerations, Judge Kerr decided to suspend McClean’s prison sentence of 30 months for three years. He made it clear that her actions were “disturbing” and “reprehensible,” but the exceptional family circumstances warranted leniency. Additionally, McClean was ordered to remain on the sex offenders register for life, barred from working with children, and issued a seven-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order to prevent any future offending.

This case has left many in the community of Richhill and the wider County Armagh area questioning the justice system’s handling of such serious offences, especially given the potential risks posed by individuals in caregiving roles. The decision to avoid jail time has been met with mixed reactions, raising ongoing concerns about safeguarding and the protection of vulnerable minors in the region.