Belfast Crown Court told both young victims require counselling
A teacher and church youth group leader who communicated with two young boys for sexual gratification was put on a three-year Probation Order today .
The 36-year old, from Kings Brae in Belfast, kept his head bowed in the dock of Belfast Crown Court for a majority of today’s sentence hearing. His barrister Michael Boyd revealed that while Maher is still technically employed as a primary school teacher, he will be “dismissed at the conclusion of these proceedings and his career as a teacher is well and truly over”.
Regarding the second victim, he was aged 11 when Maher embarked on sexual conversations with him. Maher knew this boy’s family through a church connection. Following his arrest, Maher confirmed he was a primary school teacher and that he had been in contact with a former pupil. He accepted he had searched out the boy on Instagram but denied any sexual intentions and refuted suggestions he obtained any sexual gratification - instead claiming he and the boy were friends.
She also revealed her son is now struggling with his mental health, is awaiting counselling and is a ‘different child’ due to Maher’s offending. The parents of the 11-year old boy spoke of their son experiencing intrusive thoughts and he too requires counselling.
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