Sex conviction for pensioner who slapped girl’s bum in shop

Robert McComb, Daisy Hill Court, Ballyvally, Banbridge, admitted intentionallt sexually touching the child on July 25 last year.

He was sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for three years, and ordered to pay compensation of £750 to the parents of the victim.

McComb was also put on the Sexual Offences Register for seven years and given a five year sexual prevention order. The court heard that on July 31 last year police received a report that an eight year old girl had been sexually assaulted in Asda in Portadown.

A man had slapped her on the bum.

A description was provided of the person responsible and the accused was identified on CCTV.

He denied it was him and said he accidentally brushed against the girl.

A solicitor for McComb said he had a previous caution.

He added that while the offence was to be abhorred it was at the lower end of the scale.