Menu
21/01/2010
Child 'Snow Walk' Trial Ends
It will be next month before the outcome of a bizarre case of alleged child cruelty in Co Tyrone is known.
Both defendants are due in court for the judgment hearing in February after the case against them ended this week.
Closing submissions were heard in Omagh Magistrates Court yesterday in the case of a mother and stepfather accused of cruelty after the child was found wandering dressed only in a pair of white pyjamas outside a shop in the town in February last year.
However, it was claimed that the five-year-old girl found wandering barefoot in the snow in Omagh may in fact have been sleepwalking.
The court has heard that the girl left the house while the adults were asleep and that a younger child was removed from the parents' bed after police were unable to waken them.
Prosecuting barrister Andrew Crawford told the court yesterday that there were a number of issues to consider including that the child was found "wandering in snow on an extremely cold morning", which he added was not disputed and might be likely to cause suffering.
He also said that the court had heard evidence the door was not locked to prevent the child going out.
He added: "We have heard evidence the house was very untidy, clothes everywhere, bottles, cigarette butts, inadequate bedding."
Mr Crawford said that two police officers had given evidence that they smelt alcohol from the defendants and evidence the man and woman couldn't be wakened.
However, defence solicitor Joe McCann, acting on behalf of the father of the younger child, said his client and his partner had no reason to suspect the child would leave in the night as she had done nothing like it before.
He said the man stated there may have been previous incidents when she may have been sleepwalking, and said that in the case of the younger child, if a house perceived to be untidy was negligence and likely to cause suffering or injury then every parent who left an unclean dish or hadn't brushed the floor in a few days was also guilty.
(BMcC/GK)
Both defendants are due in court for the judgment hearing in February after the case against them ended this week.
Closing submissions were heard in Omagh Magistrates Court yesterday in the case of a mother and stepfather accused of cruelty after the child was found wandering dressed only in a pair of white pyjamas outside a shop in the town in February last year.
However, it was claimed that the five-year-old girl found wandering barefoot in the snow in Omagh may in fact have been sleepwalking.
The court has heard that the girl left the house while the adults were asleep and that a younger child was removed from the parents' bed after police were unable to waken them.
Prosecuting barrister Andrew Crawford told the court yesterday that there were a number of issues to consider including that the child was found "wandering in snow on an extremely cold morning", which he added was not disputed and might be likely to cause suffering.
He also said that the court had heard evidence the door was not locked to prevent the child going out.
He added: "We have heard evidence the house was very untidy, clothes everywhere, bottles, cigarette butts, inadequate bedding."
Mr Crawford said that two police officers had given evidence that they smelt alcohol from the defendants and evidence the man and woman couldn't be wakened.
However, defence solicitor Joe McCann, acting on behalf of the father of the younger child, said his client and his partner had no reason to suspect the child would leave in the night as she had done nothing like it before.
He said the man stated there may have been previous incidents when she may have been sleepwalking, and said that in the case of the younger child, if a house perceived to be untidy was negligence and likely to cause suffering or injury then every parent who left an unclean dish or hadn't brushed the floor in a few days was also guilty.
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 November 2024
SDLP Seeks Views On Proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill
The SDLP has announced the launch of a public consultation of their proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill, describing it as an opportunity to rebalance the economy across the North. The consultation opened online today and will close on Sunday 16th February.
SDLP Seeks Views On Proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill
The SDLP has announced the launch of a public consultation of their proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill, describing it as an opportunity to rebalance the economy across the North. The consultation opened online today and will close on Sunday 16th February.
25 May 2007
Priest found guilty of facilitating child sex offence
A County Fermanagh priest has been found guilty of facilitating a child sex offence against a 12-year-old girl. The jury at Liverpool Crown Court heard Father Jeremiah McGrath, 63, from Rosslea gave more than £20,000 to convicted child rapist William Adams. He then spent the money grooming the girl from Liverpool.
Priest found guilty of facilitating child sex offence
A County Fermanagh priest has been found guilty of facilitating a child sex offence against a 12-year-old girl. The jury at Liverpool Crown Court heard Father Jeremiah McGrath, 63, from Rosslea gave more than £20,000 to convicted child rapist William Adams. He then spent the money grooming the girl from Liverpool.
15 November 2024
Man Extradited From US Over Historical Child Sex Abuse
A 68-year-old man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for a series of indecent assaults on a child in the 1970s. Damien Desmond Anderson, originally from L'Derry, was extradited from the US to face justice. He was convicted of 12 counts of indecent assault against a female who was 11 years old at the time of the abuse.
Man Extradited From US Over Historical Child Sex Abuse
A 68-year-old man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for a series of indecent assaults on a child in the 1970s. Damien Desmond Anderson, originally from L'Derry, was extradited from the US to face justice. He was convicted of 12 counts of indecent assault against a female who was 11 years old at the time of the abuse.
22 January 2003
Belfast sex shop owners prosecuted
Three Belfast city centre sex shops have been fined and charged in relation to the trading of adult videos and DVD's without a licence. The Gemini, Private Lines and MissTique stores were all fined after Belfast City Council undertook a number of prosecutions as a result of warrants issued in March last year.
Belfast sex shop owners prosecuted
Three Belfast city centre sex shops have been fined and charged in relation to the trading of adult videos and DVD's without a licence. The Gemini, Private Lines and MissTique stores were all fined after Belfast City Council undertook a number of prosecutions as a result of warrants issued in March last year.
18 November 2024
69-Year-Old Extradited From Spain To Face Child Abuse Charges
A 69-year-old man has been extradited from Spain to stand trial Northern Ireland for child-related sexual offences that occurred in the mid-1980s and early 1990s.
69-Year-Old Extradited From Spain To Face Child Abuse Charges
A 69-year-old man has been extradited from Spain to stand trial Northern Ireland for child-related sexual offences that occurred in the mid-1980s and early 1990s.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
