This article is from page 9 of the 2006-02-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 9 JPG
A MAN who abused two young brothers and gave them money or presents not to tell anybody, has been handed a three-year suspended jail sentence.
Thomas Waters (61), of Moore Street, Kilrush – an employee of ESB at Moneypoint – pleaded guilty to 20 counts of indecently assaulting one of his victims in the 1970s. He also admitted 12 counts of indecent assault and one count of buggery on another victim.
Waters was a judo instructor in his 20s when he committed the offences, over a five-year period. The abuse took place when the boys were between the ages of eight and 14, mainly at the accused’s home. Both victims are now in their 40s.
Handing down sentence, Judge Carroll Moran said Waters abused his position of trust. “He would give them presents or money – £5, which was a lot then – if they promised not to tell anybody,” he said.
Referring to a previous conviction which was revealed to the court for the first time last week, the judge said, “He does have a previous conviction for a similar offence.” The judge noted that the accused has been receiving psychiatric treatment for 20 years.
“He is suffering from a disease which cannot be cured. His treatment would be undone if a substantial prison sentence was imposed, where he would be incarcerated with other sex offenders,” said the Judge.
He said the accused had four more years to work and, if he lost this time, he would lose one-third of his pension. He noted that Waters was remanded in custody for over a month, at a previous sitting of the court.
“This is a difficult case. I have to decide if I should impose a custodial sentence. He has spent five weeks in prison and it cannot be said he has stayed out of prison on these matters. I cannot get over the gravity of this case and the trauma caused to the victims and the longevity with which they had to endure it.
“On the balance, society would be worse off if this man went to prison,” he said, adding that he would impose a three-year sentence, suspended for three years, on condition that he would not commit any offence of a sexual nature during that time. He ordered that each of the victims receive €30,000, which was Waters’ life savings and was brought to court by the accused.