ROBERT MCCOMB FROM BANBRIDGE ESCAPES JAIL AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT ON EIGHT-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN PORTADOWN SUPERMARKET

In a case that has shocked the local community, 71-year-old Robert McComb, a resident of Daisy Hill Court in Banbridge, was brought before Craigavon Magistrates Court to face serious allegations of sexual assault involving a young girl. The incident reportedly took place on July 25 of the previous year, within the confines of a busy Asda supermarket located in Portadown, a town known for its bustling shopping areas and community activity.

During the court proceedings held on a recent Friday, District Judge Mervyn Bates expressed his concerns regarding McComb’s attitude towards the charges. Despite McComb’s decision to plead guilty at the last minute, the judge noted a troubling lack of remorse and failure to accept responsibility for his actions. This attitude did not sit well with the court, especially given the gravity of the offence.

It was revealed that just before the young victim was scheduled to give her testimony, McComb admitted to sexually assaulting a female child under the age of 13. The court was informed that a week following the incident, the girl’s mother contacted police to report that her daughter had been sexually assaulted in the middle of the supermarket. The young girl herself described how a man had “slapped her bottom,” prompting police to investigate the matter further.

Using CCTV footage, officers were able to identify and arrest McComb in September of the same year. During police interviews, McComb denied touching the girl’s bottom directly, suggesting that any contact might have been an “accidental brush.” However, prosecutors dismissed this explanation, asserting that the footage clearly contradicted his claim.

McComb’s legal representative acknowledged that his client has a criminal record, including a police caution for a similar offence issued in December 2012. The defence argued that a period of probation could serve as a constructive measure to help McComb reintegrate and to protect the public. Nevertheless, District Judge Bates was not convinced, stating that the case warranted a custodial sentence due to the seriousness of the offence.

Ultimately, McComb was sentenced to three months in jail, but this sentence was suspended for three years, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed another offence during that period. Additionally, he was ordered to pay £750 in compensation to his young victim, a gesture the judge described as “the least that can be done to show some remorse.”

Furthermore, McComb was mandated to register as a sex offender for seven years, a requirement that underscores the severity of the case. The court also imposed a five-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which acts as an extra safeguard. This order prohibits McComb from having unsupervised contact with children, loitering near child-focused facilities, contacting the victim, or being present at bus stops during school opening and closing times. These measures aim to prevent any future harm and ensure community safety in Banbridge, Portadown, and beyond.