Northern Ireland

Man who was sexually abused as a young child in the 1970s hits out after attacker escapes jail

A man who sexually and physically abused a young child as a teenager in the 1970s has escaped jail
A man who sexually and physically abused a young child as a teenager in the 1970s has escaped jail A man who sexually and physically abused a young child as a teenager in the 1970s has escaped jail

A 57-year-old man who was sexually and physically abused as a young child has said his case was not taken seriously enough after his attacker escaped jail.

Alan Smyth (64), denied abusing the man in east Belfast in the early 1970s but was convicted of five charges, including gross indecency with or towards a child and common assault, at Antrim Crown Court in May.

Smyth, of Lamlash Place in Helensburgh, Scotland, was sentenced at the same court on Tuesday but was handed an absolute discharge - the most lenient sentence available to the court.

The abuse happened between 1971 and 1972 when Smyth was aged between 13 and 15 and the victim was between six and eight.

The victim, who now lives in south Wales, said the abuse had had a devastating impact on his life for decades and had contributed to the breakdown of his marriage.

The man, who retains his right to anonymity, said he only felt able to make a formal complaint in 2016. The case took several years to come to court and was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

He told The Irish News that while he was pleased by the conviction, he felt Smyth should have served time in jail.

“I got a guilty verdict which is what I wanted,” he said.

He added: "If you're found guilty of drink driving or burglary there are consequences but there doesn't seem to have been the same consequences for historical sexual assault."

The victim said he felt bruised by the experience of going to court and had to struggle through a full day of cross-examination.

And he said victims need as much support as possible

"You’ve got to relive it again and again,” he said.

"It’s just not a straightforward thing of opening your soul. You have to be prepared for that and have a lot of support around you.”

During an earlier court appearance, the victim told the jury he was forced “to do things” to Smyth if he got the names of Leeds United footballers wrong.

The victim said he felt relieved to have been believed by a jury after so long.

“It is good to unburden yourself to someone," he said. "When they believe you, and they really believe you, they’re not just saying it to chivvy yourself along… you think 'it wasn’t all in my head for all those years'.”

He added: “It’s not all about the verdict which is probably contradictory because I’m not happy that he didn’t go to jail."

The victim said the PSNI and prosecutors “were all amazing”. Although his attacker was not jailed, he said he would urge anyone in a similar position to come forward to police.

"Don't be afraid to ask for help," he said. "The police will support you."

The victim said he has decided not to appeal the sentence and is keen to put the past behind him.

“I just need to move on with my life now,” he said.