CRISTIAN DIAZ SHOCKS ENNISKILLEN AND NORTHERN IRELAND WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT AT LOCAL SWIMMING POOL

In January 2017, a disturbing case of sexual misconduct unfolded at a swimming facility in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, involving a man identified as Cristian Diaz. The incident, which took place over several dates in 2015, resulted in Diaz being sentenced to a total of 14 months in prison, with the first seven months to be served behind bars and the remaining seven on license.

Diaz, a 35-year-old electrical engineer and a graduate of Madrid University, was living at the time on East Bridge Street in Enniskillen. His actions at the Lakeland Forum swimming pool shocked the local community and prompted a serious legal response. The offences involved three young girls, aged between nine and eleven, who were subjected to inappropriate touching during separate incidents on February 24, March 10, and March 12 of 2015.

During the proceedings at Dungannon Crown Court, Judge Stephen Fowler QC addressed Diaz directly, emphasizing the gravity of his actions despite the defendant’s assertion that he did not pose a serious risk of harm. The judge made it clear that any form of sexual touching involving children is considered a grave matter, especially when committed in a public setting where children are supposed to feel safe and protected. The court also ordered Diaz to be registered on the Sex Offenders’ Register for a period of ten years.

Judge Fowler expressed concern over the emotional impact on the victims, noting that the young girls had been understandably left confused, distressed, and upset by the incidents. He highlighted the seriousness of the case, given that three different children were involved across three separate occasions, all within a public venue, which heightened the breach of trust and safety.

In a statement issued on behalf of the victims’ parents, they praised their children’s bravery in coming forward and cooperating with authorities. The parents stated, “They should be very proud of themselves in helping to stop further harm to members of the public.” The mother of one of the girls remarked that although Diaz entered the court as Cristian Diaz, he would be leaving as a registered sex offender, underscoring the severity of his conviction.

Prosecutor Simon Reid provided details of the case, revealing that Diaz had approached the girls in the swimming pool and engaged in inappropriate touching outside and over their swimsuits. The victims reported that Diaz would either dive into or duck under the water beside them, and during these moments, he would touch them in a manner described as a “prod or a poke.” On one occasion, Diaz attempted to apologize, telling one of the girls, who did not respond, that he was “sorry.”

Following the incidents, police were able to identify Diaz through CCTV footage, which was pieced together from the dates and times of the assaults. It was noted that Diaz had no prior criminal record either in Northern Ireland or in Spain, where he is originally from. The case was further aggravated by the fact that the victims were vulnerable children in a place where they should have felt secure and protected.

Diaz’s guilty pleas spared the young girls from the trauma of reliving their ordeal in open court, but the court’s decision reflected the seriousness of his actions and the need for justice. After serving his custodial sentence, Diaz expressed a desire to return to his family home on the outskirts of Madrid, Spain, highlighting the international aspect of this case and the ongoing concerns about safeguarding children in public spaces.