Bessbrook scout leader found guilty of 59 historical abuse charges | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

Bessbrook scout leader found guilty of 59 historical abuse charges

A 44 year old man has been found guilty of 59 historical abuse charges at Laganside Magistrates’ Court.

Colin Finnegan, a former scout leader, will appear before Laganside Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on Thursday, 21st November, 2013.

The charges related to the abuse of five young boys between 1982 and 1997 and include buggery, indecent assault and gross indecency.

The charges relate to offences which occurred in the Bessbrook area and the abuse took place when the boys were aged 9/10 and continued until they were 14 or 15 years old.

The court heard how one victim, aged 12 at the time, was abused while camping at Gosford in 1982. The abuse continued until the young boy was 14.

Other victims said they were abused throughout Bessbrook, including Finnegan’s van, in a caravan behind his home, in a derelict building and in Bessbrook scout hall.

The abuse took place while the boys were aged nine or ten until they were 14 or 15.

The judge told Finnegan he can ‘expect’ jail time after he was found guilty by a jury of 12 after a two day trial. He was also put on the Sex Offenders’ Register and has been remanded in custody until sentencing is carried out next month.

 

Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=35879

Posted by on Oct 21 2013. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Leave a Reply







Find us on Facebook

Log in | Designed by Gabfire themes