Belfast man jailed for sending 13-year-old indecent picture on Facebook

Ciaran James McAuley, who Belfast Crown Court heard was a promising boxer before a “disappointment” beset him, was handed an additional extended licence period of 12 months which he will serve when released, after he was deemed to be dangerous.

The 27-year-old, who at the time was living at a hostel on Belfast’s Victoria Street, targeted the schoolboy last April.

As well as sending the 13-year-old the indecent picture, McAuley also asked the teenager to send him a photograph of his genitals.

Despite initial denials to police, including a claim that he didn’t own a mobile or have a Facebook account, McAuley admitted two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

The court heard both incidents occurred when McAuley was on bail for sexually assaulting a nine-year-old boy in a north Belfast alleyway. He was jailed for two years last December for that attack, which occurred in August 2014 as the young victim and his friend were walking home from a fun fair.

Passing sentence on Tuesday, Judge Gordon Kerr QC spoke of the seriousness of the offences, and the negative effect his actions have had on his young victim. This included the teenager feeling angry, bad tempered and embarrassed by what happened.

At a previous hearing, the court was told that McAuley’s criminal behaviour came to light at the end of April when the boy informed his parents he had been contacted by a man who was demanding that he send him inappropriate pictures.

In the first incident on April 7, the teen said the man claimed he was 19 and asked about football. He also asked the teenager if he was gay.

On April 20, McAuley contacted the teenager again and on this occasion he sent the youngster an image of himself naked from the waist down. The teenager replied by saying “you shouldn’t be sending that to a 13-year-old boy”.

After the teenager informed his parents about what was happening, an investigation was launched and McAuley was arrested.

A defence barrister said his client had a “structured upbringing” which included a promising career as a boxer, as well as completing a university degree. The barrister said McAuley’s problems were linked to cannabis abuse, and occurred at a time when McAuley spent hours at home watching online porn.

The barrister also told the court there was no face to face, or physical contact between McAuley and the teenager, adding his client was both “regretful and remorseful” for his actions.