RYAN SIMPSON FROM BALLYMONEY ADMITS SEXUAL ASSAULT BEFORE ANTRIM CROWN COURT

In a significant development at Antrim Crown Court, Ryan Simpson, a 23-year-old resident of Ballymoney, faced a potential jail sentence after he admitted to sexually assaulting a female victim. The incident, which took place on February 2 of the previous year, had been scheduled for trial when Simpson unexpectedly entered a guilty plea just moments before his victim was set to testify.

Standing in the courtroom dock dressed in a white shirt and grey tie, Simpson simply responded with the word “guilty” when asked to enter a plea on the third count of the indictment. His admission prompted a quiet smile of relief from the victim, who was present in court. The prosecution, led by QC Liam McCollum, outlined the details of the case, stating that Simpson had intentionally touched the victim in a sexual manner without her consent. McCollum clarified that Simpson did not reasonably believe the victim was consenting to the contact.

McCollum further explained that the Crown was offering no evidence on the remaining two counts, which were part of the original indictment. As a result, Judge Des Marrinan directed the jury, composed of six men and six women, to find Simpson guilty of the third count based on his confession, while acquitting him of the other two charges.

During the proceedings, Simpson’s legal representative, QC Neil Connor, confirmed that prior to his guilty plea, Simpson had no previous criminal convictions. However, Connor acknowledged that due to the nature of his crime, Simpson would be required to register as a sex offender with the police.

In a move that allowed Simpson to return to his family home, Connor successfully requested a variation of his bail conditions. Initially residing with his grandmother in Dervock since the offence, Simpson was permitted to move back to his parents’ residence on Eastbourne Crescent in Ballymoney. The defence argued that the previous residence restriction was largely symbolic, intended to prevent any contact or witness intimidation related to the victim, which they deemed “somewhat artificial.”

Judge Marrinan approved the bail variation, acknowledging the logic behind the request. However, he maintained a strict condition prohibiting any contact between Simpson and the victim. The judge emphasized the importance of Simpson’s cooperation in the upcoming pre-sentence probation report, stating that he knew nothing about the defendant and needed this information to determine an appropriate sentence.

Addressing the victim’s perspective, Judge Marrinan noted that whether she wished to submit a victim impact statement was her choice. He also reaffirmed that regardless of her decision, she had been the victim in this case and her experience was validated by the court’s proceedings.