KEIRAN MCKEOWN FROM BELFAST AND STOCKTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD RAPE IN TEESSIDE

In a harrowing case that has shocked the communities of Belfast and Stockton, Keiran McKeown, aged 37, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of two underage girls. The court heard how McKeown, originally from the Twinbrook area of West Belfast, engaged in a prolonged campaign of grooming, molestation, and rape, targeting vulnerable young victims and subjecting them to unimaginable suffering.

McKeown’s actions were characterized by brutality and arrogance. He used both violence and manipulation to control his victims, often resorting to physical assault, including punching, kicking, and strangling, to coerce compliance. One of the victims, a girl who was underage at the time, was first intoxicated with alcohol, which McKeown used as a tool to facilitate her sexual assault. His violence was so severe that she was left curled into a ball, trembling with fear, unable to speak out for fear of not being believed.

The court was told that McKeown took explicit photographs of his victims, which he then used as leverage to blackmail them into silence. His actions created a climate of fear and shame, leaving the girls feeling helpless and isolated. One victim, in a heartfelt statement to the court, described how her life had been profoundly affected by McKeown’s abuse. She recounted how she was once a happy and outgoing girl, but her innocence was shattered, leaving her with haunting images she could not forget. She expressed her deep shame and anxiety, feeling convinced that no one would believe her if she spoke out.

McKeown’s arrogance was evident in his behavior, as he boasted to one victim that he would be regarded as a “legend” back home in Belfast. The judge, Recorder Gurdial Singh, condemned his actions, stating, “The reality is everyone back home will see you for what you are — a convicted child rapist.” The judge emphasized that McKeown’s crimes were driven by a desire for sexual gratification, with no remorse shown at any point during the proceedings. “All you gave them was fear and hate and abuse, and all for your sexual pleasure,” he added.

Further details revealed that McKeown had also groomed and repeatedly assaulted a second underage girl. This victim was subjected to similar tactics, including passing off inappropriate touching as a joke and then raping her while she was frozen with fear. Unlike the first victim, this girl was not physically assaulted with violence but was manipulated into compliance. Her ordeal came to light after she confided in her employer, leading to forensic evidence that implicated McKeown. The emotional toll on her was significant, suffering from stress, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances that affected her daily life and work.

Throughout the trial, McKeown maintained a false narrative, claiming that the sexual encounters with the girls were consensual. He lied to police, attempting to deny any wrongdoing, and insisted that the girls’ accounts were fabricated. The court rejected his claims, noting that the jury found through clear evidence that McKeown was guilty of multiple counts of rape and sexual assault. He was convicted on eight counts of rape and six sexual assault charges, despite denying all allegations. He had previously pleaded guilty to charges of sexual activity with a child and possessing indecent images of children but was acquitted of one sexual assault against a third complainant.

It was also revealed that McKeown had a history of 19 previous offences, none of which were related to sexual misconduct. His sentencing included an indefinite restraining order to prevent him from contacting the victims and another woman, ensuring their safety moving forward. The judge’s verdict underscored the severity of his crimes and the need for justice, condemning McKeown’s actions and emphasizing the lasting impact on his victims.