A 77-year-old former teacher has been sentenced to two years' imprisonment at Laganside Crown Court for the indecent assault of four young girls. William Lloyd Lavery, from Lisburn, was sentenced on Tuesday 28 April after being found guilty of six counts of indecent assault against children.

The offences took place between 1976 and 1978 while Lavery was teaching at Richmond Lodge School. His victims were aged between nine and 13 at the time. Although Lavery denied all allegations during a voluntary police interview in November 2022, he was convicted on 23 January 2026 following a report to the Public Prosecution Service.

Detective Inspector Kelly Foley stated: "This man was an opportunist, using his position of power and trust within the school environment to prey on young girls. He thought for a long time he had got away with this, today has proven that the passage of time has no bearing on a criminal justice outcome.

"I want to thank the bravery of the victims in coming forward. We have seen an increase in reports of non-recent child abuse over the last five years, with an average of 76 new referrals of this type each month across the province. Sentencings like today, I hope, will provide those who have suffered with the confidence to break the years of silence they have endured.

"Let this serve as another warning to those perpetrating child sexual abuse in our communities, we are working every day to break down reporting barriers and encourage victims to come forward. Our specialist officers are working day and night to relentless pursue offenders and bring them to justice."

Three of the victims, now adults, have spoken out about their experiences to encourage others affected by non-recent abuse to seek justice. Sarah, now 63, commented: "It happened 50 years ago, but it may as well have been yesterday. That is the reality of non-recent child abuse, it stays with you. It shapes you and, if you let it, the silence will take its toll. I have not let him ruin by life but he has certainly given it a dimension I could do without. A memory that resurfaces now and again to remind me that my bubble of innocence was burst at only 13 years of age. Speaking out is hard, but staying silent is harder. Today we got justice against a man who thought he had got away with it."

Emma, now 61, shared the long-term impact of the abuse: "Each day, I hid myself within groups of girls when I moved between lessons, for fear of meeting him in the very long corridors and feeling his eyes on me, reliving what he had done. It was like the constant, painful, picking at a scab that never heals and a profound sense of injustice has followed me all my life. From the moment that I lifted the phone to the police, I was listened to and believed. Special measures are put in place for victims of abuse right from the start, so I felt safe and finally able to unload the toxic burden that I had been carrying for so long."

Lucy, also 61, described how the assault in the autumn term of 1979 changed her: "I felt so ashamed and was unable to speak to anyone. I blocked it out and tried to forget about it. However, I stopped sleeping and spent most nights for some months on a mattress on my parents' bedroom floor. I was referred to a child psychologist. I am glad that I have finally stood up for the truth, I have no regrets. I am a strong woman and will survive - I hope the outcome of the case will encourage other victims of historical sexual abuse to come forward."

The Police Service of Northern Ireland urges parents, guardians, and the public to report any concerning activity involving children, whether physical or online. Victims of recent or non-recent abuse are encouraged to contact the police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.