Paedophile who abused two boys over 40 years ago avoids prison

She said the “two little boys, now grown men” had been left emotionally damaged because of the offences “and that is the fault of the defendant”.

Previously McDonald, from the Clonetrace Road in Broughshane, Co Antrim, pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault, one against each victim, committed on dates between February 28 1980 and April 6 1982.

Taking each victim in turn, Judge Smyth said the first was around seven-years-old when McDonald touched him inappropriately during an incident at the defendant’s home.

“Afterwards he felt angry and Mr McDonald gave him a handful of copper coins,” she said.

The offence in relation to the other boy was similar in that the victim was at McDonald’s home when he was touched inappropriately.

“Later that day he told his grandmother what had happened and got the impression she didn’t believe him,” Judge Smyth told the court, adding that when the victim told his parents, he was assured that a relative who was also a police officer “had dealt with the matter.”

Arrested and interviewed last September following the revelations, McDonald claimed he could not remember the incidents but did not deny the offences.

Turning to victim impact statements, Judge Smyth said it was clear that both men “have suffered very significantly” and that apart from the damage caused by McDonald, “sadly both men were exposed to additional traumas.”

In January 1992, the judge added, McDonald was convicted of 42 sex offences including sexual assaults, taking indecent images and publishing obscene materials — offences which resulted in a 10-year sentence.

Sentencing McDonald yesterday, Judge Smyth said she had to consider whether that court would have imposed a greater sentence had the two indecent assault offences been before it.

She explained that “even if one concludes that a defendant would not have been given a longer prison sentence, it does not automatically follow that he should not be sentenced to another period of imprisonment” but she added that apart from the aggravating features in the case, such as the multiple victims and McDonald’s criminal record, he had admitted his guilt and had not offended since his release from prison 26 years ago.

Judge Smyth told the court she thought it likely the court in 1992 “would have considered these offences part of the catalogue of abuse” and not imposed any longer of a sentence.

Suspending the jail sentence and imposing a five-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order, she warned McDonald that if he reoffends in the next three years “you can expect to go to prison”.

She concluded her remarks by addressing the two “little boys” who were harmed by McDonald: “I sincerely hope that is some closure for the survivors of these crimes.”