Former teacher jailed for offences against pupils

A former teacher has been given a two-year sentence with half to be served in prison and half on licence after he pleaded guilty to child sex offences.

William Maher, 37, of Kings Brae in Belfast, previously admitted to three charges of inciting two different children under the age of 13 into sexual activity.

He also admitted three charges of sexual communication with a child against two children.

Belfast Crown Court heard Maher taught at a primary school in east Belfast at the time the offences took place.

A judge told the court that Maher’s offending “constituted a significant breach of trust”.

The court heard last year Maher received a three-year probation order after pleading guilty to sexual communication with two children.

He was also made the subject of a five-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order at the time.

The judge on Monday handed Maher a further Sexual Offences Prevention Order which includes the condition that he is not to have any contact with the victims in the case.

He will also spend 10 years on the sex offenders register.

Det Con Eszter Aszmann said: “Maher preyed on the innocence of his extremely young victims, who should at their age, never have been exposed to the sexual conversations he initiated with them.

“It is often incredibly difficult for young children, to raise the alarm when an adult they trust targets them in such a way.

“I would like to acknowledge the bravery of these young victims and thank the parents for their unwavering support in helping us to bring Maher before the courts.”