Accused’s retrial finds him guilty of abusing boys as teen

A CO Tyrone man has been found guilty of historical child sexual offences against two boys when he was a teenager, but acquitted on other matters.

Patrick John James Kelly (30), of Redford Park in Dungannon, denied all 15 charges involving indecent assault, inciting gross indecency and gross indecency against two male children, on various dates between 2002 and 2004, when Kelly was aged between 14 and 15. One count was later directed as not proceeding.

Dungannon Crown Court heard Kelly had a PlayStation console in his bedroom and he used it to watch DVDs.

On one occasion Kelly was in the room with one of the victims, watching the film American Pie when he committed an act of gross indecency in the presence of the boy, and carried out an indecent assault.

During another incident in Kelly’s bedroom he made the victim hide when he suspected someone was approaching.

Kelly was also convicted of inciting one victim to commit an act of gross indecency on the other, in an incident which occurred on a pathway in Moy.

All charges were denied, and while giving evidence on his own behalf Kelly stated the victims had made up the claims.

Under cross-examination he claimed one of the victims was involved in criminal activity and thought police and courts would be softer with him if they believed he had been sexually abused as a child.

But the jury of eight men and four women were not convinced and deliberated for just over two hours before returning guilty verdicts on nine counts, and not guilty on five counts.

His Honour Judge Stephen Fowler QC ordered pre-sentence reports and victim impact statements, and released Kelly on continuing bail to return for sentencing in May.

At Kelly’s first trial on the charges, a co-accused was acquitted on all counts and the jury was hung in relation to Kelly, resulting in a retrial.