Probation for sexual assault

The pensioner pleaded guilty at Coleraine Court

A pensioner who admitted sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl, and who was later beaten up by her father, has been put on probation for two years.

Frederick Gerald Hunter, 75, a former resident of a nursing home in County Antrim, pleaded guilty to indecent assault at an earlier court hearing.

On Wednesday, he was given two years probation and ordered to undertake a programme of treatment.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register for five years.

Two days ago, the girl's father was jailed for six years for attacking Hunter.

The Coleraine father, who could not be named for legal reasons, admitted causing grievous bodily harm to the pensioner.

He and another man committed the assault in September 1999, leaving their victim with fractures to the skull, face, arms and legs.

Eileen Calder of the Rape Crisis Centre said the sentence highlighted the disparity between the approach to sex offenders and their victims.

Acting under provocation

When he passed sentence on Monday at Ballymena Crown Court, the judge noted that the father of the girl had been acting under provocation.

But he said his actions could not be countenanced in a society governed by law.

He sentenced him to six years in prison followed by 18 months probation.

His co-accused, who was told he should have acted as a restraining influence, was jailed for six and half years with 18 months probation.