JASON KING FROM NEWTOWNARDS SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD SEX ABUSE IN BELFAST

In a case that has shocked the community of Newtownards and the wider County Down area, Jason King, aged 38, was sentenced to a 24-year custodial term at Belfast Crown Court for a series of heinous crimes involving young girls. Despite the lengthy sentence, King is expected to be released on licence after serving just ten years, owing to the time he has already served and the application of a controversial 50% remission policy.

King, who resides on Balfour Street in Newtownards, was convicted on a total of 58 counts, which included nine counts of rape and 25 counts of indecent assault. The severity and brutality of his crimes prompted Mr Justice Gillen to describe his case as “probably the worst instance of multiple child abuse” he had encountered in his judicial career.

According to court reports, King systematically groomed and exploited young girls, some as young as 12 years old, with the oldest being 15. His predatory behavior extended over a period of years, during which he subjected his victims to repeated acts of sexual violence and abuse. Disturbingly, two of the girls became pregnant as a result of his actions.

Although King is originally from County Kildare, he had been living in County Down, specifically in Newtownards, at the time of his arrest. Throughout the proceedings, he displayed no remorse for his actions, which only added to the community’s outrage.

In addition to his prison sentence, Mr Justice Gillen ordered King to sign the sex offenders’ register for the remainder of his life. Furthermore, he was permanently barred from working with children in any capacity, reflecting the court’s determination to protect vulnerable minors from potential harm in the future.