AARON KINNON'S SHOCKING CRIME IN TANDRAGEE: SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Tandragee, a young man named Aaron William Kinnon was brought before Craigavon Crown Court to face serious allegations of sexual misconduct involving a minor. The incident, which took place in March of the previous year, involved Kinnon engaging in sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl, an act that has now led to his sentencing and placement on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

Twenty-one-year-old Kinnon, residing on Ballymore Road in Tandragee, was found guilty of multiple charges related to this disturbing incident. The court heard that on March 17, last year, Kinnon had engaged in sexual touching with the girl, which included acts of penetration. On the same day, he also caused her to participate in sexual activity, actions that are considered serious offenses under the law. For these charges, Kinnon was sentenced to 20 months in prison, but the sentence was suspended for a period of three years, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed further offenses within that timeframe.

In addition to these charges, Kinnon pleaded guilty to possessing indecent photographs of the girl. These images had been stored on a mobile device and were linked to a period between November 27, 2008, and November 28, 2010. For each of these possession charges, he received a sentence of 12 months in custody, which was also suspended for three years. The court emphasized that these photographs were supplied to Kinnon via a mobile device, highlighting the digital aspect of the offense.

The court proceedings revealed that at the time of the offenses last year, the victim was only 14 years old, while Kinnon was 20. The case came to light several months later when the girl’s mother discovered material related to the incident. It was this discovery that prompted further investigation and ultimately led to Kinnon’s arrest and court appearance.

Judge Patrick Lynch addressed the court, noting that the victim was a vulnerable young girl who was infatuated with Kinnon at the time. He emphasized that the law’s primary purpose is to protect young persons from exploitation, even when they may be infatuated or unaware of the full implications of their actions. The judge expressed disappointment that Kinnon had taken advantage of the girl’s vulnerability, especially considering her other personal difficulties.

Despite the gravity of the offenses, Judge Lynch acknowledged that Kinnon had a clean criminal record and had pleaded guilty, which influenced his decision. A pre-sentence report indicated that Kinnon was not considered a danger to the public. The judge clarified that this case did not involve grooming or the influence of alcohol or drugs, which are often factors in such cases. Instead, it was a straightforward case of an older individual exploiting a young girl, with the law making it clear that such behavior is unacceptable regardless of the circumstances.

In conclusion, the court’s decision reflects the seriousness with which such offenses are regarded, and Kinnon’s placement on the Sex Offenders’ Register for ten years underscores the long-term consequences of his actions. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting minors from sexual exploitation and the legal repercussions faced by those who violate these protections in Tandragee and beyond.