Ex-policeman jailed for paedophile sex crime: 'No child should ever experience what I did', says victim of Ryan McKenna
A former PSNI officer has been jailed for a child sex offence he committed before he joined the force.
Dungannon Crown Court today sentenced Ryan McKenna to 12 months in prison and a further 12 months on probation. The 43-year-old has also been slapped with a five-year sexual offences prevention order limiting his actions after he’s released, and will spend 10 years on the sex offenders register.
In a statement following his sentencing, the PSNI said he wasn’t on the force when he committed the crime, and was sacked following a “swift internal investigation” after the offence came to light.
A spokeswoman for the police stated that in June 2020, a now-adult woman reported that she’d been abused by McKenna when she was just 10 years old. It’s understood he was in his mid-twenties at the time.
He was immediately suspended from duties pending an investigation, the spokeswoman added.
Said Detective Superintendent Kerry Brennan: “Child sexual abuse is one of the most horrendous crimes committed in our society. To rob a child of their innocence at such a young age is diabolical.
“I want to acknowledge the bravery of the woman who came forward in this case, who today has proved that the passage of time has no bearing on justice.
“We have demonstrated again that there is no room in our police service for people who commit any wrongdoing. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do, if you have committed a crime we will investigate you and bring you before the courts.”
In anonymous statement released through the PSNI, the victim said: “No child should ever experience what I did.
“If speaking out protects even one child, then it was worth the pain and hurt I’ve endured. I am exhausted and whilst the impact of what happened will stay with me for the rest of my life, being heard and believed matters to me. Receiving justice for what was done to me has given me hope for the future.
“I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. I could not have survived this process alone. Thank you to the PSNI, Public Prosecution Service and justice system for allowing my voice to be heard.”