ROBIN ARMSTRONG'S SHOCKING CHILD ABUSE IN BALLYMONEY AND COLERAINE REVEALED

In March 2021, a disturbing case of child sexual abuse involving Robin Armstrong, a man with ties to Ballymoney and Coleraine, came to light through the courageous testimony of his young victim, Joanna Burton.

Joanna, who is now 16 years old, chose to waive her right to anonymity to publicly expose her stepfather’s heinous crimes. The abuse began when she was just eight years old and continued until she was 11, with Armstrong repeatedly assaulting her within the confines of their family home in Ballymoney.

The details of the case reveal a calculated pattern of predatory behavior. Joanna’s mother, Cara Hill, confirmed that Armstrong waited until her wife was asleep before sneaking into Joanna’s bed to carry out his sickening acts. Cara expressed her devastation upon discovering the extent of her daughter’s suffering in 2018, after Joanna confided in her. She admitted to feeling overwhelmed and heartbroken, especially since she had married and later separated from Armstrong, unaware of his dark deeds.

The abuse was particularly traumatic because Armstrong’s attacks were carefully timed to avoid detection, and he exploited moments when his wife was unconscious. Cara described her initial impression of Armstrong as charming and caring when they first met in 2006, but she now suspects he may have targeted her because she was vulnerable and had young daughters. The relationship deteriorated after they had their first child in 2014, with Armstrong becoming more aggressive and jealous, leading to their separation two years later.

Joanna’s ordeal came to light in 2018 when she finally disclosed the abuse to her mother. Following her revelations, Joanna reported the matter to the police, leading to Armstrong’s arrest. During court proceedings, Armstrong initially denied all charges but later pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual assault of a child and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

The court heard that the offences took place between January 2013 and June 2016, with Joanna agreeing to a plea deal that left the most serious charge, involving penetration, on the record. Joanna expressed her relief that the case was resolved without her having to testify in court, though she was deeply disappointed when Armstrong was sentenced to three years in prison, suspended for three years.

Joanna and her mother were determined to make Armstrong’s actions known publicly, despite Northern Ireland’s legal restrictions on identifying sex offenders who target family members. Both signed legal waivers to waive their right to anonymity, aiming to warn other women and girls about Armstrong’s true nature. Cara emphasized her pride in Joanna’s bravery, stating that her daughter’s decision to speak out was vital in protecting others from falling victim to Armstrong’s manipulative and abusive behavior.

The court also mandated Armstrong to register as a sex offender indefinitely, prohibit him from working with children, and impose a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) for the next five years. He is barred from having any contact with minors unless supervised by authorities.

This case underscores the importance of speaking out against abuse and highlights the devastating impact such crimes have on victims and their families. Joanna’s story serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and support for survivors of familial sexual abuse in Northern Ireland.