A CO Antrim man who sexually assaulted a 13 year-old girl as they watched the aftermath of the 7/7 London bombings on TV has been jailed for 18 months.
Hugh Morrow (58), of Maralin Gardens, Lisburn, was told he will have to spend a further two year on probation following his release from prison.
He was found guilty by a jury at Belfast Crown Court in February this year of indecently assaulting the 13-year-old girl and also committing an act of gross indecency with the victim.
Prosecution lawyer Tessa Kitson told the court that the offences took place on July 7, 2005 at a house in Lisburn while he was watching TV and the girl came in.
After asking her to sit with him the father-of-three sexually assaulted her.
The prosecutor said that despite being found guilty by the jury, Morrow "still denies the offences''.
Defence QC Eilis McDermott said Morrow suffered from a number of medical and mental conditions including heart problems and was taking 28 tablets a day.
She added that a pre-sentence report stated that because of his medicial problems "he would find prison a struggle''.
Passing sentence however Judge Gordon Kerr QC said: "He continues to deny these offence and states he is innocent of these offences.''
Morrow was jailed for three and a half years of which 18 months will be served in custody and a two years on probabtion.
