WILLIAM TORBITT FROM NEWTOWNABBEY JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON TEENAGE GIRL IN BELFAST

In a case that has shocked the community of Newtownabbey, William Torbitt, a taxi driver from Mayfield Heights, was sentenced to a three-year prison term after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old schoolgirl. The incident occurred on February 13, during a routine journey when Torbitt was transporting the young girl to a medical appointment in Belfast.

According to court proceedings, the assault took place while the girl was in Torbitt’s taxi. The judge at Belfast Crown Court, Judge Gordon Kerr QC, emphasized the gravity of the offense, stating that Torbitt, aged 39, would serve an initial one-year sentence in prison, with the remaining two years to be served under supervised licence conditions. Additionally, the judge ordered Torbitt to sign the police sex offenders register for the rest of his life, marking a lifelong restriction due to the severity of his crime.

It was revealed during the trial that after the assault, Torbitt continued to take the girl to her scheduled appointment. Once there, she reported the incident to medical staff, prompting police involvement. During police interviews, Torbitt initially denied any wrongdoing, claiming that nothing had happened. However, he later changed his plea and admitted to a single charge of sexual activity with a child, accepting responsibility for his actions.

The defense argued that Torbitt, a married man and father of two, had acted out of a moment of madness. His legal representatives highlighted that he was already suffering significant consequences, including damage to his reputation, loss of employment, and the breakdown of his marriage. Despite these mitigating factors, the court maintained that the offense was particularly egregious given Torbitt’s role as a taxi driver.

Judge Kerr underscored the importance of public trust in taxi drivers, especially those transporting vulnerable individuals such as schoolchildren. He pointed out that the community expects drivers to ensure the safety and well-being of their passengers, and Torbitt’s actions betrayed that trust, leading to his harsh sentencing. The case has left many in Newtownabbey and Belfast questioning the safety of young passengers and the responsibilities of those entrusted with their care.