THOMAS REID FROM BANGOR SENTENCED FOR TEEN ABUSE ON NORTH DOWN COAST

In a case that has shocked the local community of Bangor and the surrounding North Down area, Thomas Reid, a 57-year-old man, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for the sexual abuse of a young girl who was only 13 years old at the time. The incident, which spanned several years, was brought to light after a jury at Downpatrick Crown Court found Reid guilty of seven counts of indecent assault in December 2004.

Reid, residing on Ashbury Road in Bangor, was accused of abusing his friend’s daughter between May 1989 and December 1992. During this period, the girl was aged between 12 and 15 years old. The court heard that Reid, who was a well-known figure in the local travel industry, took advantage of his position as a trusted family friend to commit these heinous acts. The abuse reportedly took place both in the girl’s home and at Reid’s caravan located on the North Down coast, a popular seaside area known for its scenic beauty.

The victim, now 27, testified that Reid began kissing her inappropriately when she was around 12 years old. She recounted that he once performed a sexual act on her, and that the abuse persisted over several years. Her account detailed how the assaults continued until New Year’s Eve in 1992, when she finally confronted Reid and begged him to stop. In a desperate attempt to end the abuse, she threatened him with a kitchen knife, which ultimately led to the cessation of his misconduct.

During the trial, the court was informed that Reid’s actions were not limited to minor gestures; they involved multiple instances of indecent assault. The jury was told that Reid had the opportunity to push the boundaries further but, according to Judge Desmond Marrinan, the abuse was “almost always confined to kissing,” although Reid had the chance to do more. The judge emphasized that Reid’s continued abuse demonstrated a troubling lack of conscience, despite the fact that he was aware of the wrongfulness of his actions.

Reid’s defense team argued that since his conviction, he and his wife had been subjected to threats and abuse. They also claimed that Reid, who maintains his innocence, resigned from his job after his employers pressured him to leave, suggesting that there was “absolutely no risk” of reoffending. However, the court’s focus remained on the severity of his crimes and the betrayal of trust involved.

Outside the courtroom, the victim’s father expressed his outrage at the 15-month sentence handed down to Reid. He described the punishment as “absolutely disgusting” and questioned the justice of such a relatively short prison term for a convicted paedophile. His daughter, who had endured years of suffering in silence, expressed relief that her ordeal was finally over. She stated, “I’m just glad this whole thing is now over. The last two weeks have been absolute hell for me and my family and friends. I’m just glad I have been vindicated and the court believed me, because everything I said about what happened to me was the truth.”

She also urged other potential victims to come forward, emphasizing the importance of justice and closure. “I don’t know if there are other victims of Reid out there but, if there are, I would seriously urge them to come forward. I suffered in silence for many years. But I felt I just had to tell my story and bring my nightmare to an end. Reid had no problem abusing me. Who’s to say he didn’t do the same things to other kids, around the same time?”

Her father praised his daughter’s courage, saying, “I am very, very proud of my daughter, who had the courage and determination to bring this beast to justice. My daughter always said that if she could save one child from sexual abuse, then it will all have been worth it.” The family also expressed gratitude to Victim Support for their assistance during this difficult time, acknowledging their vital role in helping victims seek justice and recovery.