A MAN who carried out 'sickening' sexual abuse of a young boy in the 1990s has been sentenced.
John Paul Brady was given an 18-month sentence, suspended for two years, after being found guilty of gross indecency with a boy under the age of 14.
Brady, 45, of Brookdale, Ainsdale, Merseyside, was also ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for 10 years.
Under British law, Brady could not receive a sentence greater than he could have received at the time of the offence, which at the time was two years in prison.
The Liverpool Echo reports that the judge also took into account that Brady was "not the man that committed this offence", having suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2004.
Speaking after the sentencing, a Merseyside Police officer described Brady's crimes as 'despicable'.
'Childhood ruined'
Brady sexually abused his victim several times at a property in Liverpool in the 1990s.
After the victim went to the police in 2019, numerous enquiries were carried out.
Brady was subsequently charged with several matters of gross indecency, indecent assault and inciting a boy under 14 years of age to commit an act of gross indecency.
“Thanks to the bravery of Brady's victim who found the strength to report the sickening abuse we were able to finally bring him to justice," said Detective Inspector Steven O'Neill.
"Brady's despicable crimes have haunted his victim when he should have felt safe and cared for.
"In his own words, he said: 'To this day and for the rest of my life the events and specific words will stick with me.'
"Although this result can never replace the victim's childhood that was ruined by Brady, we hope it provides some closure and encourages others who have been subjected to sexual abuse to be brave and report it to police."
The Liverpool Echo adds that Brady was also handed a 30-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and four-month home curfew, from 8pm to 8am daily.
See More: Court Ruling, Merseyside Police
