Child rapist is jailed for abusing sisters

A CHILD rapist who managed to worm his way into singer Ronan Keating’s cancer charity, and was even pictured smiling alongside the star at a charity bash has been jailed for 10 years.

John Costello, 43, who raised hundreds of pounds for the Marie Keating Foundation – set up in memory of Ronan’s late mother – appeared to be a selfless charity fund raiser, but in reality he was a vile paedophile.

He had repeatedly raped one young girl and abused another, and had served jail time after being convicted twice for possessing a vile stash of child pornography.

The charity had no knowledge of Costello’s crimes when he raised money for them in 2015 by taking part in a cycling and hillwalking challenge.

At the High Court in Glasgow Costello was convicted of raping a young girl when she was aged between seven and 12.

He also sexually abused her sister. The offences were committed at various addresses in Rutherglen and Shotts, Lanarkshire, and Livingston between 1996 and 2000.

Judge Lord Clark told Costello: “You have been convicted of sex abuse against two young girls who were sisters. You raped one of the girls and carried out lewd and libid- inous practices against the other. In relation to the girl you raped your conduct has has a long-lasting and devastating effect on her.”

Lord Clark said that a lengthy custodial sentence was necessary to “deter others from sexually abusing young girls”.

Costello was placed on the sex offenders’ register. He is already the subject of a life-long supervision order carried out by Hampshire Police.