THOMAS SMYTH BALLYCLARE PERVERT SENTENCED FOR ABUSING 9-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN NORTHERN IRELAND

In October 2008, a disturbing case of child sexual abuse culminated in the sentencing of Thomas Smyth, a 68-year-old man from Ballyclare, who was found guilty of heinous crimes involving a young girl. Smyth, a local newsagent, was convicted of multiple charges related to the sexual exploitation of a nine-year-old girl, with the court hearing that he had manipulated and threatened his young victim to silence her.

Judge Philip Babington of Belfast Crown Court sentenced Smyth to three and a half years in prison. Additionally, Smyth was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, reflecting the severity of his crimes. The judge emphasized that Smyth had used threats to manipulate the girl, showing a troubling lack of remorse or understanding of the trauma inflicted upon her.

Smyth’s residence in Ballyclare, specifically on Clare Heights, became a focal point earlier that month when it was targeted in a petrol and paint bomb attack, an act believed to be connected to the community’s outrage over his actions. Smyth pleaded guilty to seven counts of indecent assault and one count of committing an act of gross indecency with a child, with the offenses spanning from October 1997 to October 1999.

The court was told that the victim, who was only nine years old at the time, had initially started working at Smyth’s shop, known locally as ‘Ronnie’s,’ where she made small 10p mix bags and delivered newspapers. Prosecutor Andrew Crawford detailed how the abuse began unexpectedly when the girl was sitting behind the counter in the shop. Smyth, who was kneeling to retrieve something from a lower shelf, took the opportunity to inappropriately touch her by putting his hand up her skirt. The girl was frightened and confused, unable to comprehend what was happening.

Following the initial assault, Smyth attempted to coerce her into silence by offering sweets and warning her not to tell anyone, threatening that both of them would get into trouble if she did. The girl, overwhelmed and scared, ran home crying. Despite her distress, Smyth threatened her further, saying he would tell her mother if she refused to return to the shop.

When she did return, Smyth took her to the back storeroom of the shop, where he again assaulted her by rubbing against her and touching her inappropriately while she stood crying and protesting. After these incidents, Smyth handed her a chocolate bar and a few pounds from the shop’s till, instructing her not to disclose what had happened.

The court heard that Smyth was aware of CCTV cameras in the shop, but he would use the monitor in the storeroom to keep watch for any customers while abusing the girl. The abuse was repeated on approximately 100 occasions over a period of about two years, with the girl being forced to touch Smyth on several occasions. The abuse extended beyond the shop, as Smyth took her to his nearby house, where he further assaulted her in a bedroom.

When Smyth was arrested in July 2007, he admitted that the girl had helped him in the shop but claimed she was there because she was stealing cigarettes and playing an adult porn video in the storeroom. Smyth also stated that she had only visited his house once to retrieve headache tablets, during which she allegedly jumped on his bed, and he believed she was trying to seduce him.

Prosecutor Andrew Crawford highlighted that the offenses were particularly grave due to the victim’s age and vulnerability, the significant age gap between Smyth and the girl, the prolonged period of abuse, and the breach of trust involved. Defense QC Ken McMahon pointed out that Smyth had no prior criminal record and was 68 years old at the time of sentencing, suggesting a degree of remorse or at least a lack of previous misconduct.

Overall, the case underscores the devastating impact of child abuse and the importance of justice for victims, with Smyth’s actions leaving a lasting scar on the young girl involved.