Jail term on child abduction charge

Ciaran Bradley (20), from Moss Park was charged with one count each of abducting a child in care and inducing a child to run or stay away on February 22 of this year.

On the date in question police were contacted by staff at a children’s home about a girl of 14 in their charge, who had not returned. It was believed she was with Bradley, who she was forbidden from seeing and a harbouring order banned him from granting her access to his home.

Police confronted Bradley at his flat and he admitted she was there. Police found her in the bathroom with another girl. Her eyes were glazed and she smelled of alcohol.

Bradley said she arrived at his flat feeling sick, he felt sorry for her and let her in.

She told police she had been out drinking with a friend, met Bradley at 4.45pm and walked along the quay with him.

She told police her memory was hazy as she had been drinking vodka.

Bradley told police he had seen her earlier, but went home alone. She came to his door at 10pm and said she was going to be sick.

Keith Kyle, defending, said the girl had misrepresented her age to Bradley, but he knew he was banned from contact with her.

District Judge Barney McElholm said Bradley was aware he should not have been harbouring the young woman.

In addition to the suspended sentence, Bradley was ordered to make a £200 payment to Little Orchids charity.