A BELFAST man who sent a 13-year old boy a picture of his penis on the Facebook messenger service has been jailed for 12 months.
Ciaran James McAuley - who Belfast Crown Court heard was a promising boxer before a "disappointment" beset him - was handed an additional extended licence period of 12 months which he will serve when released, after he was deemed to be dangerous.
The 27-year old, who at the time was living at a hostel on Belfast's Victoria Street, targeted the schoolboy last April.
Despite initial denials to police, including a claim that didn't own a mobile or have a Facebook account, McAuley admitted two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
The court heard on Monday that both incidents occurred when McAuley was on bail for sexually assaulting a nine-year old boy in a north Belfast alleyway.
He was jailed for two years last December for the sex attack on the boy, which occurred in August 2014 after the young victim and his friend were walking home from a fun fair.
A defence barrister said his client had a "structured upbringing" which including a promising career as a boxer, as well as completing a university degree.
The barrister said McAuley's problems were linked to cannabis abuse, and occurred at a time when McAuley spend hours at home watching online porn.
The barrister also told the court there was no face to face, or physical contact between McAuley and the teenager, adding his client was both "regretful and remorseful" for his actions.
