PARENTS’ FEARS OVER PAEDOPHILE WHO ‘PROWLS’ WRESTLING EVENTS
Parents in Belfast have expressed serious concerns about safety after a known sex offender was released into the community.This individual has links to wrestling events and online gaming platforms popular among children.
Richard Montgomery, originally from Kilkeel, has a lengthy criminal record for sexual offenses involving minors.
Court documentation reveals that in 2018 he was convicted of two counts of engaging in sexual communication with a minor, with three additional charges still pending.
He has also faced multiple convictions for violating a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which resulted in a two-year incarceration.
In 2017, at Craigavon Crown Court, evidence was presented of a child, who had already been abused, seeking help from Montgomery.
Prosecutors described this decision as “jumping out of the fire and into the frying pan.” The court was told that the child contacted Montgomery to disclose his abuse, but this contact subsequently led to further sexual offenses.
In an unrelated case in 2019, Montgomery, then aged 35, was sentenced to 18 months for sexual communication with a minor and for meeting a child following sexual grooming.
Since his release from Maghaberry Prison, he is believed to be residing in central Belfast, less than half a mile from several schools.
He shares accommodation with another convicted sex offender he met in prison, raising alarm among local families.
Parents contacted by the Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life have reported that Montgomery allegedly used wrestling and online gaming as methods to reach children.
One source claimed he falsely claimed to have insider connections within the wrestling community, offering young people backstage access, autographs, and gifts.
Officials said Montgomery has been active on multiple online aliases, including on PlayStation Online, where he targeted children interested in wrestling.
It is also claimed that he fabricated being significantly younger online to establish contact with minors.
“He’s on there lurking and waiting,” one parent told the newspaper.
“He’s constantly on the prowl, and it’s terrifying.” Another source said Montgomery’s continued presence at or around wrestling events was deeply worrying, adding: “How do we know he’s not continuing to try and lure children in?” Those who spoke out stressed that their concerns were rooted in Montgomery’s criminal history and the risk he poses to children, rather than speculation.
One source told the newspaper: “I have absolutely no doubt in my mind he will continue to abuse kids.”
