Gary Thompson, of Newtownabbey, was jailed for eight months for indecent assault
The former head of the NI Fire and Rescue Service was jailed today for eight months for the indecent assault of a teenage girl.
In 2005 she spent further time with Thompson in his role as the church’s youth work and he was described as “playful and tactile” in his interactions with her. In March 2006 one of her relatives died and the defendant texted her frequently and she replied. However, on five further occasions during the summer of 2006, Thompson collected Nikella and brought her home in the early hours of the morning. Thompson was also collecting the teenager “who was sneaking out of the family home while her parents slept”.
After making disclosures about the relationship, Thompson’s church leaders met with him and he apologised for his “inappropriate relationship” with ‘Jane’ and he would no longer involved in church youth work. Nikella eventually made a complaint to police in 2018 and Thompson was arrested and questioned about her complaints.
Nikella stated that the emotional and sexual abuse she suffered “has clouded every period and major event” in her life. She said that the defendant’s treatment of her “ruined her faith, her relationship with God and her relationship with members of her church” and is still “shunned” by some members of the congregation who chose to support Thompson.
Belfast Crown Court NIFRS Co Antrim
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