14/11/2008
Child Porn Cop Given Probation
An former Ulster policeman - who admitted downloading child pornography - has walked free from court, after being handed down three years probation.
William Neil McGonigle, aged 39, came to the attention of authorities after he caught attempting to photograph two schoolgirls changing at a leisure centre
Yesterday in court, presiding judge Norman Lockie said Mr McGonigle should be provided with treatment designed for sex offenders.
The father of three, who was sacked from the police force two months ago, gave Newry Crown Court his address as PSNI headquarters.
Police bosses dismissed Mr McGonigle in June, after he pleaded guilty to making indecent images of a child and attempting to do so in 2006.
Judge Lockie said he had "decided, after much anxious thought and reflection, that the option of an immediate custodial sentence would not, by itself serve to safeguard children" from Mr McGonigle re-offending.
The judge said he believed the means of achieving the "essential objective" was for Mr McGonigle to "fully engage in a treatment and rehabilitation programme" for sex offenders.
"The public can be assured by me this is not an easy option", and nor was it simply "a slap on the wrist", added Judge Lockie.
He warned if Mr McGonigle failed to undergo the programme the court could "revisit its sentencing options".
In addition to probation, Mr McGonigle was placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for five years and will also be prohibited from accessing the internet, using photographic equipment, or having unsupervised contact, even of his own children, over the same period.
(PR)
William Neil McGonigle, aged 39, came to the attention of authorities after he caught attempting to photograph two schoolgirls changing at a leisure centre
Yesterday in court, presiding judge Norman Lockie said Mr McGonigle should be provided with treatment designed for sex offenders.
The father of three, who was sacked from the police force two months ago, gave Newry Crown Court his address as PSNI headquarters.
Police bosses dismissed Mr McGonigle in June, after he pleaded guilty to making indecent images of a child and attempting to do so in 2006.
Judge Lockie said he had "decided, after much anxious thought and reflection, that the option of an immediate custodial sentence would not, by itself serve to safeguard children" from Mr McGonigle re-offending.
The judge said he believed the means of achieving the "essential objective" was for Mr McGonigle to "fully engage in a treatment and rehabilitation programme" for sex offenders.
"The public can be assured by me this is not an easy option", and nor was it simply "a slap on the wrist", added Judge Lockie.
He warned if Mr McGonigle failed to undergo the programme the court could "revisit its sentencing options".
In addition to probation, Mr McGonigle was placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for five years and will also be prohibited from accessing the internet, using photographic equipment, or having unsupervised contact, even of his own children, over the same period.
(PR)
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