A FORMER care assistant at a children's home in Northern Ireland has been jailed for nine years for sexually abusing his eight-year-old son.
Originally the boy's father had denied committing 15 acts of buggery, but after his son had given evidence and was then cross-examined via a video link with Derry Crown Court, the man changed his plea to guilty to tour charges of buggery between December 1990 and May 1992.
The offences occurred at the man's flat in the Creggan area of Derry when the boy's mother allowed him to stay overnight with his father, from whom she was separated.
Judge Thomas Burgess was told that during the time of his employment there was never any complaint about any aspect of the man's work.
He said the man, who cannot be named, had overwhelmed his son emotionally, physically and sexually.
He said an impact report on the victim, now aged 14, showed he suffered from self-loathing and self-blame and that the offences had affected his relationships with other people.
Mr Dominic Burke, director of social care with the Western Health and Special Services in Derry, said the defendant had been a board employee for 15 months.
"When the allegation ... was raised, the appropriate procedures were immediately put in place and the staff member was suspended He had been vetted for employment by the board and no reason was found which would have prevented him from working in the social care field. A review of those children who were in contact with, him during his employment was undertaken and they have not raised any concerns relating to this individual."