JOSEPH MCDOWELL OF NEWTOWNABBEY ADDED TO SEX OFFENDERS' REGISTER AFTER GUILTY PLEAS

In March 2016, Joseph McDowell, a 57-year-old resident of Newtownabbey, was registered as a sex offender following his guilty plea to six historic charges of gross indecency with a child, occurring in 1993. McDowell, who is profoundly deaf and required sign language assistance during court proceedings, is scheduled to be sentenced next month. The length of his registration period will be determined after sentencing. Authorities did not release specific details about the alleged abuse but confirmed his guilty pleas and that he remains on bail. The case underscores the serious and lasting repercussions of his criminal actions.