Antrim businessman jailed for four years for sexual abuse of young female employees
Jailed: 48-year-old Alan Potter
A 48-year-old Antrim businessman who sexually abused young female employees over a period spanning more than two decades has been jailed for four years.
Alan Potter, from Antrim, was sentenced at Antrim Crown Court on Friday (11 September) for 13 non-recent sexual offences, including gross indecency, sexual assault, sexual communication with a child and causing a child to engage in sexual activity.
Potter owned a local takeaway food business and abused young girls who worked for him, with the offending taking place between 2002 and 2023.
Investigation began after employee reported sexual assault
The police investigation began after a report was received that Potter had sexually touched a female member of staff at his takeaway business.
He was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault on 20 February 2023.
Following that initial report, three further victims came forward to police to report similar offending against them while they had been employed at the same premises.
Potter was subsequently charged on 13 December 2023 with a total of 18 sexual offences.
He was sentenced on Friday in relation to 13 counts.
Police describe behaviour as ‘predatory and calculated’
Detective Constable Meehan said Potter had exploited a position in which the young girls should have been able to trust him.
“Potter was a local businessman and an employer – someone these young girls should have been able to trust. Instead, he exploited that position for his own sexual gratification, subjecting them to behavior that was predatory, calculated and completely unacceptable.
“I want to pay particular tribute to the victims in this case. Coming forward and speaking about sexual abuse takes immense courage. Their bravery in reporting what happened and supporting our investigation has ultimately helped us bring this offender before the courts to answer for his actions.
“No young person should ever have to experience sexual abuse or exploitation, whether in the workplace or anywhere else. Those who seek to abuse positions of trust should be under no illusion: we will robustly investigate reports made to us.
“We have specially trained detectives who will treat victims with sensitivity and respect. I would encourage anyone who has experienced any form of sexual abuse to contact police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.”
Friday’s sentencing followed an investigation which began with one employee coming forward in February 2023 and ultimately saw three further victims report similar offending to police.
