WILLIAM ADAMS: BALLYMENA AND BELFAST'S MOST NOTORIOUS PAEDOPHILE ON THE RUN

In June 2021, a chilling case involving William Adams, a convicted sex offender from Ballymena and Belfast, came to the forefront as a survivor of abuse issued a stark warning to the judiciary about the dangerousness of the man set to be sentenced for his latest crimes.

Michelle Erwin, now 33 and residing in North Belfast, recounted her traumatic experience of being abused by her uncle, William Adams, when she was only eight years old. She expressed her deep conviction that Adams, who is a prolific paedophile, cannot be rehabilitated and poses an ongoing threat to children.

"This monster can’t be rehabilitated," Michelle told the Sunday World. "I see him getting out of jail and the next child he gets, he’s not going to let them go. He’ll kill them."

She detailed how Adams abducted her from her home in Bangor, took her to Dublin, and kept her confined in his flat for three weeks, during which he sexually abused her. Despite her young age, Michelle believed she was safe with her uncle, but her trust was shattered as she endured months of abuse.

Michelle described how Adams initially lured her with a family holiday to Butlins, which was later revealed to be a ruse. Instead, he kept her in his Dublin flat, where she was subjected to continuous abuse. She recounted the horror of being kept in a room with a man she later learned was Adams’s boyfriend, and being forced to share a bed with him from the very first night.

Throughout the ordeal, Michelle was subjected to physical violence, being hit once for not doing something right, and was manipulated into silence by her abuser. Her mother eventually discovered that something was wrong when Michelle withdrew from communication and was unable to answer her questions. Michelle’s mother intervened, arriving unannounced at the snooker hall where Adams was staying, and subsequently found her daughter in a state of distress.

Michelle’s account reveals the extent of her trauma, including her forced silence and the emotional toll of the abuse. She was later able to write a letter to her brother David, who was also a convicted paedophile, describing her ordeal. The abuse was reported to the Gardaí, leading to Adams’s arrest and subsequent trial.

Initially, Michelle, then only 11, faced a hung jury after giving evidence against Adams. However, he was rearrested and retried, ultimately being convicted and sentenced to 12 years in the Republic of Ireland. Adams later transferred to Maghaberry Prison in Northern Ireland, where he benefited from a remission scheme, leading to his release in 2004.

Following his release, Adams moved to Bootle in Merseyside, where he found his next victim, 11-year-old Jade Critchlow. Adams was convicted of raping and abusing Jade, receiving a life sentence with a minimum of seven and a half years. His crimes involved grooming her with gifts and money, paid for by his associate, Father Jeremiah McGrath, a priest from County Kerry who was later jailed for aiding Adams’s crimes.

Michelle believes that Adams remains a danger and suspects he continues to have contact with other offenders, including McGrath. She fears that he may attempt to reoffend, especially with the advent of social media and online chatrooms, which could facilitate new victims.

She emphasizes the importance of public awareness, stating, "No one is safe when he gets back on the streets, and the reality is a judge can only jail him for so long even though this will be his third conviction." Michelle is committed to ensuring that others are aware of Adams’s face and his history, hoping to prevent further tragedies.

Michelle’s story is one of resilience and bravery, as she now supports other victims and advocates for justice. Her experience underscores the ongoing threat posed by William Adams, whose criminal history spans decades and multiple countries, and who remains a significant concern for child safety authorities.