DENNIS AND BRIAN MCCAVERY'S SHAMEFUL SEX OFFENCES IN BALLYNAHINCH AND COUNTY DOWN
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Northern Ireland County Down Ballynahinch Child Sexual Abuser
Two brothers from Ballynahinch, County Down, Northern Ireland, have been brought before Downpatrick Crown Court to face serious allegations of sexual misconduct involving young girls. The proceedings revealed disturbing details about their crimes, which spanned several years and involved vulnerable victims.
Seventy-one-year-old Dennis McCavery, formerly residing in Dundrum and more recently at an address on Glassdrumman Road in Annalong, was sentenced to a three-and-a-half-year prison term. He was immediately taken into custody following the court hearing last Thursday. His younger brother, 59-year-old Brian McCavery, who lives on Oakland Grove in Ballynahinch, received a suspended sentence of eleven-and-a-half months, which will be served if he commits any further offences within the next two years.
The court was informed that the victims of these heinous acts were young girls at the time the offences occurred. Both brothers had consistently denied their involvement until they appeared in court earlier this year, when they finally entered guilty pleas. Dennis McCavery admitted to a total of twelve charges, including six counts of indecent assault on a female, five counts of gross indecency with or towards a child, and one charge of inciting gross indecency with a child. Brian McCavery pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault on a female.
During the hearing, His Honour Judge Geoffrey Miller KC detailed the nature of the crimes, describing them as 'sickening' and emphasizing the impact on the victims. The majority of the offences were committed against one girl, with Dennis McCavery also admitting to inciting a second girl to perform an act of gross indecency. The court was told that at the time of the offences, Dennis was in his 30s and 40s, while Brian was a minor, aged between 15 and 17, when he committed his crimes. Both brothers had initially denied any wrongdoing during police interviews, but Judge Miller pointed out that their later pleas indicated that their earlier statements were 'nothing more than a tissue of lies.'
In considering the case, the judge reviewed a victim impact report that highlighted the severe and enduring effects on the primary victim, whose life had been significantly affected by the defendants' actions. The report described the victim's suffering as 'grievous,' noting that her life had been 'blighted' by the abuse. The court also acknowledged that there was no victim impact report available for the second girl involved.
Judge Miller underscored the seriousness of the charges, stating that Dennis McCavery was the 'prime mover' in the offences, with Brian following his lead in at least one of the assaults. The court was reminded that Brian was still legally a child at the time of the offences and had a criminal record of 19 convictions, including a seven-year sentence for attempted robbery in 1994. The judge noted that both brothers had served in the army during the Troubles, which had a profound impact on their lives, leading to issues such as alcohol abuse and mental health deterioration.
Pre-sentence reports revealed that Brian McCavery expressed remorse for his actions and accepted that the victim was telling the truth, despite his lack of independent recollection of the incidents. He acknowledged his disgraceful behaviour and recognized that he must live with the consequences. Dennis McCavery, on the other hand, was described as a man of mature years who committed his crimes over an extended period, targeting vulnerable young girls. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to be placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life, and upon release, he will be subject to a 12-month probation period. Additionally, he is now under a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for ten years and is prohibited from working with children.
Regarding his brother, a restraining order was issued preventing Brian from contacting or approaching his victim for the next three years. His sentence was suspended for two years, providing him with an opportunity to avoid immediate imprisonment if he complies with the conditions set by the court.
In summary, the court's verdict reflects the gravity of these offences, which involved abuse of young girls over a prolonged period. Dennis McCavery's actions were deemed particularly culpable, given his age and the nature of the crimes, while Brian's offences, committed as a minor, also drew significant judicial attention. The court's measures aim to protect the victims and prevent further harm, emphasizing the serious consequences of such disgraceful conduct.
Seventy-one-year-old Dennis McCavery, formerly residing in Dundrum and more recently at an address on Glassdrumman Road in Annalong, was sentenced to a three-and-a-half-year prison term. He was immediately taken into custody following the court hearing last Thursday. His younger brother, 59-year-old Brian McCavery, who lives on Oakland Grove in Ballynahinch, received a suspended sentence of eleven-and-a-half months, which will be served if he commits any further offences within the next two years.
The court was informed that the victims of these heinous acts were young girls at the time the offences occurred. Both brothers had consistently denied their involvement until they appeared in court earlier this year, when they finally entered guilty pleas. Dennis McCavery admitted to a total of twelve charges, including six counts of indecent assault on a female, five counts of gross indecency with or towards a child, and one charge of inciting gross indecency with a child. Brian McCavery pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault on a female.
During the hearing, His Honour Judge Geoffrey Miller KC detailed the nature of the crimes, describing them as 'sickening' and emphasizing the impact on the victims. The majority of the offences were committed against one girl, with Dennis McCavery also admitting to inciting a second girl to perform an act of gross indecency. The court was told that at the time of the offences, Dennis was in his 30s and 40s, while Brian was a minor, aged between 15 and 17, when he committed his crimes. Both brothers had initially denied any wrongdoing during police interviews, but Judge Miller pointed out that their later pleas indicated that their earlier statements were 'nothing more than a tissue of lies.'
In considering the case, the judge reviewed a victim impact report that highlighted the severe and enduring effects on the primary victim, whose life had been significantly affected by the defendants' actions. The report described the victim's suffering as 'grievous,' noting that her life had been 'blighted' by the abuse. The court also acknowledged that there was no victim impact report available for the second girl involved.
Judge Miller underscored the seriousness of the charges, stating that Dennis McCavery was the 'prime mover' in the offences, with Brian following his lead in at least one of the assaults. The court was reminded that Brian was still legally a child at the time of the offences and had a criminal record of 19 convictions, including a seven-year sentence for attempted robbery in 1994. The judge noted that both brothers had served in the army during the Troubles, which had a profound impact on their lives, leading to issues such as alcohol abuse and mental health deterioration.
Pre-sentence reports revealed that Brian McCavery expressed remorse for his actions and accepted that the victim was telling the truth, despite his lack of independent recollection of the incidents. He acknowledged his disgraceful behaviour and recognized that he must live with the consequences. Dennis McCavery, on the other hand, was described as a man of mature years who committed his crimes over an extended period, targeting vulnerable young girls. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to be placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life, and upon release, he will be subject to a 12-month probation period. Additionally, he is now under a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for ten years and is prohibited from working with children.
Regarding his brother, a restraining order was issued preventing Brian from contacting or approaching his victim for the next three years. His sentence was suspended for two years, providing him with an opportunity to avoid immediate imprisonment if he complies with the conditions set by the court.
In summary, the court's verdict reflects the gravity of these offences, which involved abuse of young girls over a prolonged period. Dennis McCavery's actions were deemed particularly culpable, given his age and the nature of the crimes, while Brian's offences, committed as a minor, also drew significant judicial attention. The court's measures aim to protect the victims and prevent further harm, emphasizing the serious consequences of such disgraceful conduct.