MAN AGED 49 JAILED FOR SENDING INDECENT IMAGES OF GIRL TO HER MOTHER
A WEST Belfast man who sent an indecent image of a 16-year-old girl to her mother was today jailed for 12 months.Judge Catherine Chasemore told James O'Neill that he would spend a further 12 months on supervised licence upon his release from prison to address his 'concerning interest' in children.
The 49-year-old, of Cluain Mor Drive off the Springfield Road, had previously pleaded guilty to nine counts of making indecent photographs of a child.
He also admitted three offences of possessing extreme pornographic images of children and threatening to disclose a sexual image.
Belfast Crown Court heard that in November 2018, a 16-year-old girl from England discovered nude pictures of her leaked online, which caused her distress.
Prosecutor Kate McKay stated O'Neill appeared to have seen these images and contacted her via Snapchat within 30 seconds, asking her age and being told she was 16.
O'Neill then sent nude pictures of her to her mother without her consent, and threatened to leak further nude images.
He also obtained her mobile number and engaged in persistent contact, creating multiple accounts despite her attempts to block him.
The victim described how he became more hostile, sending threatening messages and demanding more pictures.
During police investigation, devices seized from O'Neill contained over 200 indecent images and 50 videos of children, some depicting horrific abuse.
O'Neill denied sending or threatening to send such images and claimed he could not account for the material on his phone.
He had no prior criminal history but had developed an alcohol dependency.
The court noted his lack of remorse, denial of responsibility, and the serious harm caused to the victims.
He was ordered to register as a sex offender for a decade and subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for five years, with all seized material to be destroyed.
