Mallon jail sentence doubled

Prosecutors argue Mallon was a 'highly-functioning individual'

A former senior Northern Ireland civil servant has had his prison sentence for a child sex offence doubled by an American judge.

Stan Mallon must now serve 41 months in jail for arranging to meet a 14-year-old girl for sex in a hotel room in Chicago in 2002.

He was also fined $5,000.

Assistant US Attorney Markus Funk said they had asked for an even tougher sentence.

"It is for the US Congress to determine what the appropriate sentences are for individuals who commit these crimes," he said.

"But suffice to say that we did ask for 51 months and the sentence was ultimately 41 months, which is the lowest possible under the law after it has been sent down by the Court of Appeals."

'Diminished capacity'

In a statement issued through their solicitor, the Mallon family said they were "deeply disappointed" at the increased sentence.

"We remain totally supportive of him and stand by him at this difficult time," said the statement.

"We look forward to a time when we can be reunited as a family."

The father-of-five from Crumlin in County Antrim was jailed for 21 months last March, after admitting using an internet chatline to contact a girl who turned out to be an undercover FBI agent.

He originally escaped the maximum sentence of more than four years in prison after the judge ruled that he was suffering a "diminished capacity".

However, his sentence was extended following an appeal by prosecutors, who argued that the original tariff imposed was too lenient.

After receiving his increased sentence, Mallon, who appeared in court via video link, read out a letter in which he described himself as the victim.

Mallon was acting chief executive of the Ulster Scots Agency until his arrest in Chicago in March 2002.

He will now remain in prison until February 2005.