A former history teacher has been sentenced to two years in prison for indecently assaulting pupils at a south Belfast school in the 1970s. William Lloyd-Lavery, 77, of Richmond Avenue, Lisburn, was handed the sentence at Belfast Crown Court after being found guilty in January of six counts of indecent assault against four girls.
Details of the abuse
The assaults occurred when Lloyd-Lavery was in his late 20s and early 30s. Two of the victims were 13 years old at the time. The court heard that he touched the girls sexually both over and under their clothes in various locations around the school, including a corridor, a stationery cupboard, and a storeroom. One victim described the experience as a "loss of innocence which would last her to the end of her days" and said it "destroyed her faith in teachers." Another victim said the assaults left her feeling ashamed and caused sleeping problems that led to her sleeping on a mattress on her parents' bedroom floor and being referred to a child psychologist.
Career and court proceedings
The court heard that after leaving teaching, Lloyd-Lavery worked at Stormont as a researcher, speech writer, and press officer for the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) until his retirement in 2017. A UUP spokesman clarified that he worked for individual MLAs and was not a party staff member. During the sentencing hearing, Lloyd-Lavery sat in the dock with his head bowed, while several victims sat in the public gallery behind him. The victims hugged each other after the hearing concluded.
Defence and prosecution arguments
A defence barrister requested a delayed sentence, citing Lloyd-Lavery's hypertension and increased risk of stroke. However, the prosecution argued that the defendant had consistently denied the allegations and that a suspended sentence would have no effect on him. The prosecution stated that a medical condition "can't be a get out of jail free card."
Judge's remarks
Judge Patrick Lynch told Lloyd-Lavery that by his actions he "violated that trust in the grossest manner and the court cannot but take the most serious view of these offences." He praised the victims for coming forward to "expose a paedophile" and emphasised that child abusers "will never be able to rest easy for the crime will or may catch up with them even decades after the perpetration of those crimes." He imposed a concurrent sentence of two years in prison on all counts.
Police statement
Speaking outside court, Detective Inspector Kelly Foley said: "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." She thanked the victims for their bravery and noted an increase in reports of non-recent child abuse, with an average of 76 new referrals each month across the province. She expressed hope that sentencings like this would encourage other victims to come forward and serve as a warning to offenders.
