Detectives have welcomed the sentence handed down to 79-year-old William Powell who was convicted, in relation to a number of sexual offences committed against a child, at Antrim Crown Court today ( Friday 2nd October).
Powell was sentenced to 4 years and 9 months imprisonment, half to be served in custody and half on licence, was placed on the Sexual Offenders register for life and a Sexual Offences Protection Order was also granted. The offences were reported to police in February 2020 and had taken place at a house in east Belfast since May 2019.
Detective Constable Keegan, from the PSNI's Child Abuse Investigation Unit said: "We welcome today’s sentence and the fact that this offender is now behind bars. I hope the courage and bravery shown by the victim will encourage anyone who has experienced sexual abuse to come forward to police. I would encourage anyone who has experienced any form of sexual assault to contact police on 101.”