ANDREW MCFADDEN'S CRIMINAL REIGN IN BELFAST, BALLYMENA, AND BLACKPOOL: A SERIAL PAEDOPHILE'S TERRIBLE HISTORY

In April 2018, Andrew McFadden, now residing in Blackpool, continued to attract attention due to his ongoing criminal behavior and breaches of court orders. His criminal record spans decades, with a particularly disturbing history involving the sexual abuse of minors in Ballymena, Belfast, and later in Blackpool.

McFadden, aged 60, has been under scrutiny for his repeated violations of probation conditions. Most recently, he was warned that he is effectively in the 'last chance saloon,' with a deadline set for next April to demonstrate that he can adhere to the strict conditions imposed upon him. Failure to comply, including missing scheduled appointments or consuming alcohol, could result in his return to incarceration.

The serial sex offender was released from prison last year after serving half of a five-year sentence handed down in February 2009. His conviction stemmed from heinous crimes committed in 2006 and 2007, when he raped a schoolgirl from Ballymena and sexually assaulted her young friend. The victims, aged just 13 and 14 at the time, suffered at the hands of McFadden, whose actions shocked the local community and drew widespread condemnation.

At the time of his release, McFadden was seen strolling through the streets of Belfast, seemingly unconcerned about the public's awareness of his past. Photographs captured him walking past young girls, giving the impression that he was unbothered by the notoriety of his crimes. His ongoing battle with alcohol addiction complicates his rehabilitation efforts, and he has a long history of convictions related to indecent assault on children dating back to 1991.

As part of his release conditions, McFadden was required to participate in community sex offender group work programs. However, he failed to attend a scheduled appointment last month, raising concerns about his compliance and potential risk to the community. Authorities responded by visiting him at his hostel in south Belfast, where he was subsequently charged with breaching his probation order.

Last week, McFadden appeared before Antrim Crown Court, where he was formally warned that he has until April of the following year to demonstrate good behavior. The court emphasized that any further breaches, including missing meetings or violating a ban on alcohol consumption, could lead to his re-imprisonment. A source from the hostel revealed that McFadden has been keeping a low profile since his court appearance, reportedly 'lying low' out of fear of public exposure. The source added, 'McFadden’s been keeping his head down because he is terrified of appearing in Sunday Life again. He hates the public knowing that he is a paedophile who raped a wee girl and sexually assaulted others.'

His criminal history is extensive. In February 2009, he was sentenced to five years in prison after admitting to raping a schoolgirl and sexually abusing her friend. The crimes took place in 2006 and 2007, with the victims being only 13 and 14 years old. Prior to this, McFadden had been convicted in 1991 of indecently assaulting two sisters, further illustrating his long-standing pattern of predatory behavior.

During his 2009 trial, a defense lawyer highlighted that McFadden had groomed his victims by providing them with alcohol and cigarettes, facilitating his abuse. The court was also informed that McFadden had been subjected to harassment following his initial conviction, leading to a solitary and troubled existence. Despite his pleas of guilt, the judge condemned his actions, especially noting that one victim, a vulnerable 13-year-old girl, was particularly exploited. The judge dismissed McFadden’s claims of intoxication as an excuse, emphasizing that his guilty pleas carried significant weight and that persistent denial would have caused even greater harm to the victims' families.

Following his release, McFadden was initially placed in the notorious Centenary House hostel in Belfast before being moved to a different facility in the southern part of the city. His ongoing presence in the community remains a source of concern for residents and authorities alike, given his history and recent breaches of probation conditions.