IVOR HOGG BALLYMONEY CHURCH ABUSE SCANDAL REVEALS HORRIFIC CHILDHOOD TORTURE
| Red Rose Database
Ballymoney Sexual Abuser
In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Ballymoney, Ivor Hogg, a man known for his involvement in local church activities, has been exposed as a convicted sex offender who subjected his young cousin to years of sexual abuse. The details of this disturbing story have come to light through the courageous testimony of Simone, the victim, who bravely faced her abuser in court after enduring a long and painful journey of suffering and silence.
Simone, now 24, recounted her ordeal in front of a packed courtroom at Antrim Crown Court, describing how her childhood was stolen by her own family member. She revealed that the abuse began when she was just five years old, with Ivor Hogg, then 13, initiating a pattern of horrific misconduct that would last for six years. The relationship was particularly devastating because Ivor was her first cousin on her father’s side, and he was eight years her senior.
She vividly recalled the moment she first experienced his inappropriate actions, describing how, as a toddler, she initially thought he was fun, but that perception changed drastically when he crossed boundaries. "One day, when I was five, he put his hands under my clothes," she said, her voice trembling as she recounted the confusion and fear she felt. Despite knowing instinctively that what was happening was wrong, she was paralyzed by fear and unable to resist. "I remember feeling so ashamed and dirty, and I hadn’t told anyone," she added, revealing the deep emotional scars that would haunt her for years.
Simone explained that the abuse took place at her family’s farm and her parents’ hardware store, places where she once felt safe playing with other cousins. However, Ivor’s presence always brought a sense of dread, as he would force her into acts she did not understand or consent to. Over the years, her innocence was eroded, and she struggled to find a way to escape the torment. It was only at age 14 that she found the courage to push him away, but by then, her childhood had been irreparably damaged.
Turning to alcohol as a means of coping, Simone described how she turned to vodka to numb the pain. Her struggles with substance abuse were compounded by the fact that Ivor appeared to be a respected figure in the community, running Sunday school classes and leading youth groups, which made it difficult for her to be believed or taken seriously. Her parents, devastated by her suicide attempt after overdosing on paracetamol, finally learned the truth and intervened, but the community’s support was divided. Some members blamed her, and she faced hostility from those who still supported Ivor, calling her a “whore” and a “slut” as she walked through the courtroom.
Despite the emotional toll, Simone persisted in her pursuit of justice. After her father’s sudden death from a heart attack, she was overwhelmed by grief but eventually found the strength to report her abuser to the police, with her mother’s unwavering support. Ivor Hogg initially denied the allegations but stepped down from his roles within the church and community. The case culminated in a court appearance where Ivor pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault. The courtroom fell silent as the guilty plea was entered, and a wave of relief washed over Simone, who finally saw justice being served.
However, the aftermath was brutal. As she left the court, she was met with hostility from the crowd, who continued to hurl insults and accusations at her. Despite this, her mother embraced her and expressed pride in her bravery. Ivor Hogg was sentenced to a year in prison, suspended for three years, a sentence many considered inadequate given the severity of his crimes. Nevertheless, Simone feels a sense of closure, knowing she stood up to her abuser and exposed his true nature to the world.
Reflecting on her ordeal, Simone stated, “Now, a year later, I’m getting on with my life. I stood up to Ivor — and finally the world has seen him for the evil twisted bully he really is.” Her story highlights the importance of speaking out against abuse and the resilience of those who refuse to be silenced, even in the face of community hostility and personal trauma.
Simone, now 24, recounted her ordeal in front of a packed courtroom at Antrim Crown Court, describing how her childhood was stolen by her own family member. She revealed that the abuse began when she was just five years old, with Ivor Hogg, then 13, initiating a pattern of horrific misconduct that would last for six years. The relationship was particularly devastating because Ivor was her first cousin on her father’s side, and he was eight years her senior.
She vividly recalled the moment she first experienced his inappropriate actions, describing how, as a toddler, she initially thought he was fun, but that perception changed drastically when he crossed boundaries. "One day, when I was five, he put his hands under my clothes," she said, her voice trembling as she recounted the confusion and fear she felt. Despite knowing instinctively that what was happening was wrong, she was paralyzed by fear and unable to resist. "I remember feeling so ashamed and dirty, and I hadn’t told anyone," she added, revealing the deep emotional scars that would haunt her for years.
Simone explained that the abuse took place at her family’s farm and her parents’ hardware store, places where she once felt safe playing with other cousins. However, Ivor’s presence always brought a sense of dread, as he would force her into acts she did not understand or consent to. Over the years, her innocence was eroded, and she struggled to find a way to escape the torment. It was only at age 14 that she found the courage to push him away, but by then, her childhood had been irreparably damaged.
Turning to alcohol as a means of coping, Simone described how she turned to vodka to numb the pain. Her struggles with substance abuse were compounded by the fact that Ivor appeared to be a respected figure in the community, running Sunday school classes and leading youth groups, which made it difficult for her to be believed or taken seriously. Her parents, devastated by her suicide attempt after overdosing on paracetamol, finally learned the truth and intervened, but the community’s support was divided. Some members blamed her, and she faced hostility from those who still supported Ivor, calling her a “whore” and a “slut” as she walked through the courtroom.
Despite the emotional toll, Simone persisted in her pursuit of justice. After her father’s sudden death from a heart attack, she was overwhelmed by grief but eventually found the strength to report her abuser to the police, with her mother’s unwavering support. Ivor Hogg initially denied the allegations but stepped down from his roles within the church and community. The case culminated in a court appearance where Ivor pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault. The courtroom fell silent as the guilty plea was entered, and a wave of relief washed over Simone, who finally saw justice being served.
However, the aftermath was brutal. As she left the court, she was met with hostility from the crowd, who continued to hurl insults and accusations at her. Despite this, her mother embraced her and expressed pride in her bravery. Ivor Hogg was sentenced to a year in prison, suspended for three years, a sentence many considered inadequate given the severity of his crimes. Nevertheless, Simone feels a sense of closure, knowing she stood up to her abuser and exposed his true nature to the world.
Reflecting on her ordeal, Simone stated, “Now, a year later, I’m getting on with my life. I stood up to Ivor — and finally the world has seen him for the evil twisted bully he really is.” Her story highlights the importance of speaking out against abuse and the resilience of those who refuse to be silenced, even in the face of community hostility and personal trauma.