By Tony O’Reilly-
The husband of a registered child minder, was sentenced to eight years in prison for sexually abusing two children.
Friends and relatives of the victims, overcome with emotion, shouted as Damien Craig- the self-confessed paedophile as he was led to the cells, branding him a “scumbag” and wishing for him to “rot in hell.”
Judge Geoffrey Miller KC, presiding over the case, described the victim impact statements as “raw and visceral.” The victims, who had placed trust in Craig and his wife, expressed the “utter betrayal” they felt as someone they completely trusted violated that trust.
The court learned that Craig, a former senior civil servant, pleaded guilty to six counts of sexually assaulting two girls. One victim came forward after reading newspaper reports of Craig’s arrest.
Judge Miller emphasized the profound impact on the victims and their families, stating unequivocally that they had been “greatly harmed by the defendant’s actions.”
In a gross breach of trust, Craig, residing on Bishops Brae Avenue in Downpatrick, exploited his close relationship with the victims, betraying both the children and their families. The victims’ parents had entrusted their children to Craig’s wife and, by extension, to him.
Defence counsel Michael Boyd highlighted Craig’s guilty pleas at the first opportunity and his previously clear record. Despite acknowledging that Craig would face a significant custodial sentence, Boyd emphasized the toll on Craig’s reputation in the community.
Judge Miller outlined the harrowing facts of the case, revealing that the youngest victim, referring to Craig as “Granda,” disclosed the abuse to her mother during a shower. The child minder’s living room and bedroom became the settings for Craig’s inappropriate acts.
The court heard that the victim’s parents confronted Craig’s wife after debating the next course of action over the weekend. Despite their confrontation, she refused to believe the allegations until the police were alerted.
The subsequent video-recorded interviews with police revealed the depth of trauma experienced by the victims.
Judge Miller noted the lasting impact on the victims, with signs of post-traumatic stress response evident in the youngest victim. The court learned that, according to medical reports, the emotions she is currently feeling are likely to negatively impact her future development, relationships, and daily life.
The other victim, who had blocked out the abuse for years, experienced serious trauma, feeling that “her childhood has been stolen.” Despite expressing remorse, Craig was sentenced to eight years, with Judge Miller citing multiple aggravating features, including the breach of trust and the vulnerability of the victims.