KEITH ASHE FROM BELFAST JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF 15-YEAR-OLD BOY NEAR BELFAST
In May 2018, a disturbing case unfolded involving Keith Ashe, a man from Belfast, who was convicted of sexually abusing a teenage boy.Ashe, aged 42 at the time, voluntarily entered a police station and confessed to engaging in sexual activities with the 15-year-old, leading to his subsequent arrest and sentencing.
Both Ashe and the young victim shared a common interest in buses, which played a significant role in their relationship.
The Belfast Crown Court heard that the sexual misconduct took place after they viewed images of buses on Ashe’s computer.
Ashe, residing on Harrison Walk in Belfast, was sentenced to two years in prison after admitting to multiple sexual offences.
These offences included causing a child to watch a sexual act and inciting a minor to participate in sexual activity.
Judge Geoffrey Miller QC addressed the court, explaining that Ashe would serve six months of his sentence behind bars, with the remaining 18 months on licence upon release.
The judge justified this approach as “exceptional but justified,” aiming to allow Ashe to participate in probation-led programmes designed to address his offending behavior.
Prosecutor Kate McKay outlined the timeline of Ashe’s criminal conduct, which spanned from May to August of the previous year, during which the victim was 15 years old.
She detailed that the two first met in November 2016 when the teenager, then 14, reached out to Ashe via Facebook due to their shared interest in buses.
Their relationship involved meeting at bus stops to observe buses and visiting Ashe’s home, where they looked at bus images on his computer.
Ms McKay described a particularly disturbing incident in May of the following year.
The teenager was in Ashe’s bedroom, lying on the bed while they watched bus footage.
Ashe then accessed a gay porn website on his laptop and told the teenager to look at it.
The teenager later testified that he saw a threesome in the footage.
Ashe then removed the younger male’s tracksuit bottoms and performed oral sex on him.
The prosecutor emphasized that during this incident, Ashe remained fully clothed and did not speak.
Similar incidents occurred multiple times between May and August, including Ashe masturbating in front of the teenager and speaking to him in a sexual manner, sometimes whispering in his ear.
When Ashe contacted police the summer prior, admitting to his sexual activities with the 15-year-old, officers spoke with the victim.
Ms McKay highlighted that the victim, described as a “mature young man,” was affected by Ashe’s actions.
Ashe appeared in court with no prior criminal record, but the case was characterized by a breach of trust and grooming behavior.
During the hearing, Ashe’s defence lawyer, Stephen Toal, described Ashe’s decision to surrender himself to police as “highly unusual,” especially since the teenager had not filed a complaint.
He argued that Ashe’s act of self-reporting demonstrated remorse and guilt.
The lawyer also stated that Ashe believed the teenager was “an equal,” a misconception that would be addressed through probation and licence conditions.
Judge Miller acknowledged Ashe’s cooperation with authorities but expressed concern over his limited victim awareness.
The judge noted that Ashe viewed the teenager as a friend rather than a child and that, despite no force being used and the victim willingly returning to Ashe’s home on multiple occasions, Ashe was in a position of dominance due to being three times the boy’s age.
In addition to his prison sentence, Ashe was subjected to a five-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) and a Notification Order, requiring him to register as a sex offender for ten years.
These measures aim to monitor and prevent further offending, reflecting the seriousness of the case and the breach of trust involved.
