WILLIAM POPE AND SHOCKING SEX OFFENSES IN HOLSWORTHY AND CO ARMAGH

William Pope, a man from Holsworthy, has been convicted and sentenced to prison for serious sexual offenses committed against a teenage girl in Co Armagh. The 34-year-old, originally from Stonelands Park, Dawlish in Devon, faced judgment after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual assault involving a minor, which took place over an uncertain period between December 5, 2018, and May 1, 2021.

The court proceedings detailed how Pope repeatedly engaged in abusive behavior towards the young girl inside her own family home, a place where she should have felt safest. The offences came to light in December 2021, following a revelation by the victim during a counseling session. She confided in her therapist that Pope had twice subjected her to sexual touching during visits to her house. This disclosure prompted a police investigation.

According to the evidence presented in Craigavon Crown Court, the girl, then aged 14, recounted episodes where Pope, during his visits, pulled her close for what he called a cuddly gesture. She described how he then inappropriately touched her, including sticking his hand up her top to feel her breasts, caressing her stomach, and eventually putting his hand into her pants. The prosecutor, Nicola Auret, quoted the victim describing Pope’s disturbing question: “Do you like it when I touch you there?” The girl repeatedly told him she needed to go to the toilet, which seemed to frustrate Pope, who then told her to leave.

The court also heard about another disturbing incident at a party held at the girl’s home in April 2021, where she had been drinking alcohol. During this event, Pope allegedly carried her to bed and took the opportunity to grope her breasts once again, reinforcing the pattern of his abusive behavior.

When questioned by police, Pope initially denied any wrongdoing. However, his stance changed shortly before the trial was set to commence, just twelve days prior. His guilty plea avoided the need for the victim to testify publicly, which was considered a mitigating factor by the court.

Prosecutor Nicola Auret pointed out multiple aggravating features surrounding the offenses. The fact that the victim was assaulted twice within her own home, a supposed sanctuary where she should have felt secure, was highlighted as a particularly egregious aspect of the crimes.

Defense lawyer Joel Lindsay acknowledged the seriousness of the offenses but also emphasized mitigating circumstances. He pointed to Pope’s previously clean criminal record, his genuine remorse, and his guilty plea as positive factors. Lindsay also noted that an alternative to immediate imprisonment might be possible through an intensive probation program aimed at addressing the root causes of his offending, arguing that such an approach was not an easy way out but a serious option.

In sentencing, Judge Patrick Lynch KC acknowledged the guilty plea’s role in sparing the victim further trauma and highlighted that Pope had no prior or subsequent convictions. Still, he asserted that given the nature and gravity of the offenses, a custodial sentence was justified.

William Pope was sentenced to twelve months in prison, with half to be served behind bars and the other half on license. Additionally, the court imposed a five-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO). This order prohibits Pope from contacting his victim, restricts him from living anywhere without permission, and obliges him to disclose his convictions to any new partner, ensuring ongoing monitoring and safeguarding measures to prevent further harm.