‘Courageous’ sexual abuse woman hands settlement to victim charity

‘Courageous’ sexual abuse woman hands settlement to victim charity

18 May 2016

THE victim of a Clough sex abuser is to donate £1,000 in compensation to charity.

The woman, who cannot be named, made her announcement after 49 year-old Conrad Rice was sentenced at Downpatrick Crown Court sitting in Newtownards on Friday.

Rice, of Church Court, had admitted two charges of indecent assault against the woman committed between October 28, 1984 and October 29, 1986.

He initially appeared in Downpatrick Crown Court on Wednesday and was remanded in custody for two days before Friday’s sentencing hearing.

At the hearing Judge Piers Grant praised the courage of the woman and said it is clear the abuse has had a lasting effect on her.

He told Rice that he had come very close to receiving a custodial sentence and that if he reoffended again he would certainly face a prison sentence.

He sentenced Rice to a one year prison sentence, suspended for three years and ordered that he sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Judge Grant also ordered Rice to pay £1,000 to his victim in compensation.

However, the woman revealed afterwards that she will not be accepting the money herself and instead intends to donate it to Victim Support, the charity that provides support to victims of crime.