WILLIAM “AUBREY” MCCLINTOCK SHAMES ARMAGH WITH CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN SUSSEX AND NORTHERN IRELAND

In a shocking revelation that has rocked the community of Armagh, William “Aubrey” McClintock, a once-respected singing tutor and prominent figure within the local arts scene, has been convicted of serious child sex offences spanning back to the 1980s. The case, which culminated in a court appearance at Lewes Crown Court in Sussex, has brought to light disturbing allegations that have tarnished McClintock’s reputation and raised questions about his conduct over several decades.

McClintock, aged 53 at the time of his conviction, was listed as residing at Greenfield Park in Armagh. He faced a total of seven charges, including six counts of indecently assaulting a female child and one count of inciting a child to commit an act of gross indecency. Despite his initial plea of not guilty, a jury found him guilty on all counts after a thorough trial. The offences are alleged to have taken place in the Sussex area between December 18, 1983, and December 16, 1989, marking a dark chapter in his long-standing involvement in the local music community.

McClintock’s criminal history is not limited to these recent convictions. In September 2007, he was previously sentenced to a 12-month suspended term at Newry Crown Court for accessing indecent images of children. This earlier conviction stemmed from investigations initiated by US law enforcement agencies, which contacted the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) after discovering that McClintock had used his credit card to access websites containing child pornography in February 2005. Following this incident, he was placed on the sex offenders register, and restrictions were imposed on his internet access at home. He was also required to inform the parents of any potential pupils about his conviction, reflecting the serious measures taken to monitor his activities.

His employment with Armagh City Council was also affected. McClintock was suspended from his role as a community regeneration officer shortly after the police investigation was launched, and he was subsequently dismissed in June 2007 following an internal review. Despite these measures, sources close to the local music scene have alleged that McClintock continued to conduct singing lessons with young girls and boys even after his initial conviction, raising concerns about ongoing misconduct.

Further controversy surrounded McClintock’s personal life, notably his engagement to an 18-year-old woman while he was in his 30s, which drew criticism from community members. Described by some as “arrogant,” McClintock reportedly maintained a facade of normalcy, claiming that he was unaware that the images he downloaded depicted underage children. This denial did little to mitigate the damage to his reputation, which had already been marred by his previous criminal activities.

Before his criminal conduct was uncovered, McClintock was a prominent figure in Armagh’s cultural events. He participated in the renowned Charles Wood Summer School, which attracts singers, organists, and choir directors from across the region. He also produced several well-received recordings and served on various committees, including the St Patrick’s Day Festival and the Armagh Church Forum, representing the city’s vibrant arts community.

Despite his incarceration, advertisements for McClintock’s singing lessons continue to appear online. One such ad features him describing himself as a teacher with over 25 years of experience, openly welcoming students of all ages, including young children. This ongoing promotion of his services has sparked outrage among community members and advocates for child protection, who argue that such advertisements are inappropriate given his criminal history.

The case of William “Aubrey” McClintock remains a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that can lurk behind seemingly respectable facades, and it underscores the importance of vigilance and safeguarding in all community sectors, especially those involving vulnerable children.