Man jailed on child sex charges

A County Down man who raped a girl and also sexually abused her sister has been jailed for 16 years at Belfast Crown court.

John Atkinson, 66, from Ashley Park in Millisle, pleaded guilty to a total of 57 charges, including 13 of rape.

The offences began when one victim was aged between 10 and 13-years-old. He then began to abuse her younger sister between the ages of seven and nine.

Atkinson was ordered to sign the sex offenders register.

He pleaded guilty to charges which included rape, indecent assault, gross indecency and taking indecent photographs or video in relation to one sister.

In relation to his other victim, he admitted attempted rape, indecent assault and taking indecent pictures or photographs.

The judge said the follicular lymphoma from which Atkinson suffers, usually meant a life expectancy of around 10 years.

"It is reasonable to infer that the lyphoma will have some effect upon his life expectancy and that most of the rest of his life will be spent in prison," he said.

At an earlier court hearing, Mr Justice Hart had heard how Atkinson, who now uses a wheelchair, filmed and photographed himself raping and abusing one victim which he then sold on to men in Holland for "big money".