UN FROM BELFAST SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS FOR HORRIFIC ABUSE OF NIECES IN BELFAST

In a chilling case that has shocked the community of east Belfast, a 75-year-old man known only as Un has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being convicted of a series of heinous crimes committed against his two nieces. The offences, which spanned over a decade and a half, involved a brutal and degrading campaign of sexual abuse, including multiple counts of rape, indecent assault, attempted buggery, and cruelty to children.

Judge Patricia Smyth delivered a stern judgment, describing the crimes as among the most horrific the court has ever encountered. She emphasized the severity of the offences, which took place over a 15-year period from 1964 to 1979, beginning when the victims were just six years old. The judge pointed out that the defendant had exploited his familial trust to carry out these acts, which included physical violence and emotional degradation.

The court heard that Un’s victims endured repeated acts of sexual violence, physical assaults, and humiliating treatment within the confines of their family home. During a police interview, one of the victims recounted her terror and pain. She described an incident where she was descending the stairs towards the front door when her uncle emerged from the parlour. She recalled pushing herself against the wall to avoid him, only to be struck on the head, causing her pain. She admitted she never confided in her mother about the injury, fearing her uncle’s wrath.

The victims described a pattern of physical abuse, including being kicked in the back, side, or stomach if they did not comply with his demands. Despite the severity of the abuse, they noted that their mother was unaware of the extent of the suffering, as she did not see the bruises or injuries inflicted.

Judge Smyth condemned the neglect of parental duty, stating that the victims had been abandoned by their parents, who failed to protect them from the abuse. She highlighted that Un subjected the children to repeated acts of violence, sexual assault, and grotesque cruelty, which had long-lasting effects on their lives. The impact reports presented to the court revealed that the abuse had destroyed their marriages, personal relationships, and even affected the children of at least one of the victims.

The court also heard that Un had threatened the victims to silence, warning them that if they disclosed the abuse, they and their siblings would be taken away and never seen again. Such threats were part of a calculated effort to maintain control and silence the victims for years.

In assessing the case, Judge Smyth noted the aggravating factors: the victims’ youth and vulnerability, the defendant’s position of trust as their uncle, and the fact that the offences occurred within the family home over a prolonged period. She described the abuse as serious acts of violence and control, which humiliated and degraded the victims.

The Probation Service’s assessment classified Un as a medium risk of reoffending but also indicated a significant potential for future harm. The report further revealed that Un harbored hatred towards his victims, adding to the concern about his dangerousness.

While the prosecution had argued for a life sentence, citing the depraved nature of the crimes, Judge Smyth ultimately decided on a 20-year term. She explained that although the offences were among the most horrific she had encountered and that Un had shown no remorse, her decision was influenced by his age and the absence of further offences in recent years. She stated, "If not for these factors, I would have imposed a life sentence."

Un was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with the sentences to run concurrently for the various charges, including rape and sexual assault. Additional sentences ranging from 18 to 20 months were also imposed for other charges such as indecent assault, gross indecency, and cruelty to children.

Furthermore, a court order has been issued preventing the Belfast Telegraph from publishing any details that could identify Un or his address. Paul McDonnell of McKinty and Wright Solicitors explained that under legislation, courts have the authority to restrict publication to protect victims’ identities, especially in cases involving sexual offences. The order aims to prevent the identification of the victims and uphold their right to anonymity, although it has raised concerns about transparency within the justice system in Northern Ireland.