A Kilkenny man has been given sentences totalling 42 years in London for sexually abusing six young girls in his family over an 18-year period.
The 54-year-old car worker, who went to London from Kilkenny 35 years ago, carried out the attacks on the girls, aged between six and 13, after setting himself up as the family's unofficial swimming instructor. The attacks took place between 1965 and 1983. The victims kept the abuse secret for 14 years until one girl, having given birth to a daughter, was frightened he might continue the cycle of abuse with her, said Ms Karen Holt, prosecuting, at the Old Bailey.
The defendant, from east London, pleaded guilty to 11 charges of indecent assault. He denied six charges of indecent assault and one of rape which Judge Michael Coombe QC ordered to lie on the court file.
The judge sentenced him to periods of between five, four and three years on the 11 charges. He said he had reduced the sentence after taking into account the defendant's pleas of guilty and the remorse he had shown.