BRIAN O’NEILL SENTENCED IN GLEN PARVA FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

In December 2014, a disturbing case unfolded at Leicester Crown Court involving Brian O’Neill, a 61-year-old man from Knightsbridge Road, Glen Parva. O’Neill was found guilty of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old male who was unconscious at the time, after consuming excessive alcohol during a celebration event. The incident took place in July 2011, and the court heard harrowing details about the assault and the subsequent investigation.

According to the prosecution, Victoria Rose, the lead prosecutor, described how the victim, who was heavily intoxicated, became ill, vomited, and lost consciousness while at a house. The victim later recounted that he was fully clothed and had fallen asleep on a settee. However, around 3 a.m., he awoke to find the defendant, Brian O’Neill, engaging in sexual molestation. The victim, overwhelmed with fear, pretended to be asleep to avoid further harm, which made him feel physically sick. Despite his attempt to remain passive, he was subjected to repeated abuse by O’Neill.

When the victim finally regained consciousness, he quickly dressed and left the scene. He confided in his mother, stating that “something bad has happened,” indicating that he had been sexually assaulted. His mother promptly took him to the police station, where a medical examination confirmed injuries on his private parts, corroborating his account of abuse.

During the arrest, police discovered that O’Neill had also been viewing child pornography on his computer. The authorities found a total of 114 indecent images, with 106 of these depicting children, predominantly girls aged between five and thirteen. The images ranged across various levels of severity, including six at level two, one at level three, and two at level four. Notably, one of the level four images depicted two boys engaging in sexual activity similar to that inflicted upon the 18-year-old victim.

O’Neill pleaded guilty to the charges, admitting to sexually assaulting the teenager and downloading indecent images of children between July 2010 and July 2011. In his defense, his lawyer, Andrew Vout, highlighted that O’Neill had been married for 37 years and had no prior convictions. The defense also pointed out that alcohol played a significant role in his behavior, as he was struggling with a drinking problem. Vout emphasized that O’Neill was remorseful and that his wife and wider family still supported him despite his actions.

Judge Simon Hammond addressed the court, condemning O’Neill’s actions as wicked. He emphasized the lasting impact such abuse can have on victims, including issues with trust and relationships. The judge also warned that viewing child pornography can lead to actual sex offenses, underscoring the seriousness of the case.

As part of his sentence, O’Neill was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was subjected to a sexual offences prevention order, which grants authorities the ability to monitor his future computer activity. The court’s decision reflects the gravity of his crimes and the ongoing threat posed by individuals involved in such offenses.