Ex-principal admits sex assault

Dominic McElholm was a primary school principal in Omagh

A retired County Tyrone principal has pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting a 12-year-old girl.

Dominic McElholm, 70, from Knockmoe Heights in Killyclogher, was jailed for six months, suspended for three years at Dungannon Crown Court.

The offences, which involved inappropriate kissing, took place between January and December 2005.

McElholm is the former chairman of the Western Education and Library Board and was a primary school head in Omagh.

He had previously denied 10 charges, but on Tuesday he changed his plea to guilty on three of the charges.

His barrister told the court he had made a big contribution to the community and his reputation was now "completely devastated".

Sentencing him, the judge said it was a case of an elderly man becoming infatuated with a young girl.

"All reason appears to have evaporated", he added.

The victim's family said they had suffered "terrible stress", adding that his guilty plea showed they had been telling the truth.