PAEDOPHILE EX-SOLDIER AVOIDS JAIL AFTER THREATENING REPORTER
A former member of the military, who previously avoided incarceration for possessing child abuse images, has been released from court after threatening a journalist via social media.Although the identity of the journalist Philip Francis McLernon threatened was not disclosed in court proceedings, a prosecutor stated that the defendant posted a message suggesting that the next time the journalist takes a taxi, the outcome might be different.
The victim interpreted the message as a direct threat and found it to be both unsettling and threatening.
McLernon pleaded guilty to sending a message or communication of a menacing nature on March 23 of the previous year.
Due to the nature of his case, neither probation nor community service was deemed appropriate, and he was sentenced to a two-month prison term, suspended, after a hearing at Antrim Crown Court.
Over two years prior, the now 54-year-old had been given a six-month prison sentence, which was suspended for two years.
In that earlier case, McLernon, who resides in Meadow Lands, Antrim, admitted to making and possessing indecent images of children between December 23, 2010, and October 2, 2015.
Eleven other charges related to these images were not pursued.
During proceedings, his legal representative explained that McLernon had sustained a brain injury during military service, which impaired his memory regarding viewing the images.
The judge described the actions as heinous, emphasizing that such images are produced through child abuse, and pointed out that children are harmed so individuals like McLernon can view them.
The recent court session revealed that McLernon had breached his previous suspended sentence by committing additional crimes.
The judge, Devlin, extended the sentence's suspension period related to the child image offenses and stated that the original six-month prison sentence would remain in effect until 2028.
The judge warned that if McLernon breaches the conditions again, he risks imprisonment.
