A 60-year-old man has been jailed for multiple counts of historic sexual abuse of a work colleague’s child while he waited in an office to go to school. 

Ronan Farrell, previously from Derrygonnelly but later residing in Belfast, denied nine counts of indecent assault between 1982 and 1984, but was convicted of all at trial.

Offending occurred when the boy was preparing to sit his transfer test and was taking extra lessons ahead of this in the mornings before school started.

His school was close to his father’s workplace, and the boy would travel with him and wait in an office until classes began.

The office was predominantly used by male staff, including Farrell, and there were posters of scantily clad women on the walls.

He noticed the boy looking at these and thereafter provided him with adult magazines which were “highly unsuitable for a child”.

The abuse began with Farrell touching the boy’s genitals over his clothes, then progressed to direct sexual contact, during which he would kiss him.

Offending developed to Farrell having the boy carry out oral sex on him.

The abuse ended when he left for another job elsewhere.

Throughout trial at Dungannon Crown Court, Farrell - an electronic service engineer in the shipping industry - denied any abuse ever occurred.

He knew the boy’s father, given his role in the company, and there had never been any issue with him.

Farrell recalled the victim being about the office for a time while he waited to go to school, but insisted there was never engagement or interaction.

However, the jury did not believe him, and convicted him on all counts.

The case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports, and on return today (Tuesday), Judge Fiona Bagnall noted Farrell continues to maintain his innocence.

She said offending was aggravated, as he had been “in a position of trust by knowing the child’s father, and the abuse was repeated”.

It was accepted Farrell was a young man of between 18 and 20 when the abuse occurred; however, he “was of course still considerably older than the victim, who was just 10 or 11, vulnerable and not sexually aware".

Farrell, she said: “Exploited an opportunity to abuse the victim, used sexualised talk and gave him access to magazines which were unsuitable for a boy of his age.”

Judge Bagnall referred to the pre-sentence report in which Farrell, when continuing to deny the offences, claimed to have a specific disfiguration which the victim would have seen if the abuse occurred.

However, this was not disclosed at trial, and when asked why, Farrell claimed to have been too embarrassed.

He also repeated claims the victim was following him for a number of years before the trial.

While assessed as having a low likelihood of reoffending, and not at risk of causing serious harm: “There is a level of victim-blaming,” said the judge.

She continued: “When a child of the age in this case is subjected to the abuse perpetrated, the long-term impact is significant.

"The victim says, following the abuse, he was left very confused and blamed himself, believing he was complicit.

"He felt shame and considered this his dirty secret. He tried to bury the memories; they came back at different times in his life.

"There were times he didn’t care if he lived or died. The impact of having to go through the trial can be considered as adding to the harm caused.”

Judge Bagnall said: “The courts have consistently warned that offences against children will result in custodial sentences.”

She imposed a combined term of four-and-a-half years, and ordered Farrell to remain on the Sex Offender Register indefinitely.

The PSNI issued a statement following the sentencing of  Farrell.

Detective Constable Ruth Marshall said: “Ronan Farrell exploited and abused a child.

“I want to recognise the strength and courage of the victim in this case, now an adult, for coming forward and working with us throughout the investigation. Your courage should be commended.

“We encourage anyone who has been the victim of any form of sexual abuse to come forward to Police, no matter when the abuse occurred. 

"Please be assured that we have specially trained Detectives in our dedicated Non-recent Child Abuse Team who will treat all victims with sensitivity and respect – at every stage of the process.

"If you have ever experienced any form of sexual abuse, please contact police on 101 or call 999 in an emergency."