Bail for convicted paedophile

A 64-year-old County Antrim man who was jailed for a year for abusing six young girls has been released on bail pending an appeal.

Patrick Joseph McAleese from Corky Road, Loughgiel, had denied the offences that took place over a period of more than 20 years.

His youngest victim was just six years old when the abuse started.

He was convicted on 2 October at Coleraine Magistrates Court.

McAleese has also been placed on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

Following sentencing, McAleese's victims said the case gave other people who suffered sexual abuse hope that the perpetrator could be brought to justice.