School welfare officer convicted of sexually abusing teenage girls – The Irish News

A school welfare officer and former army cadet leader has been remanded in custody after being convicted by a jury of sexually abusing teenage girls.

As a result of the guilty verdicts, Neil Clarke Beckett, who is currently suspended from work at Lagan College in south Belfast, was told by Judge Philip Gilpin: “You are a registered sex offender from this point onwards.”

The judge also told Beckett that the amount of time he will spend on the registry will be determined at his sentencing in December.

The 43-year-old father-of-one, from Kilmore Village in Downpatrick, stood trial on 29 charges against nine teenagers, which he denied.

These charges included one count of rape, one count of sexual communication with a child, one count of sexual grooming and 26 counts of sexual assault.

After deliberating for more than two days, the jury of six men and six women at Belfast Crown Court returned a “unanimous” verdict on all charges.

Beckett was acquitted of ten counts of rape, sexual communication with a child and sexual abuse.

He was found guilty on 17 counts, including one count of sexual grooming and 16 counts of sexual assault.

These charges were committed between 2015 and 2023.

While he was acquitted of raping and sexually assaulting an army cadet, he was convicted of sexually assaulting her.

He was also convicted of sexually abusing a Second Army cadet by hugging, kissing and tickling her.

As for Lagan College students, Beckett was convicted of sexually abusing seven students and acquitted of offenses against two other complainants.

This abuse consisted of hugging, kissing and tickling students while he held power at the school, and touching some girls’ thighs under their skirts.

In a five-week trial, jurors learned that this inappropriate behavior made them feel uncomfortable.

The judge ordered a pre-sentence report to be prepared on Beckett.

On the issue of bail, Crown attorney David McNeill said Beckett had been convicted of sexual offenses against nine victims over a period of up to eight years.

He added: “The courts in this jurisdiction have made it clear that those who commit sexual offenses against children in breach of trust will inevitably face appropriate punishment.”

Defense lawyer Laura Ievers KC called for her client to continue to be granted bail before sentencing, saying it would be easier and “more helpful” for the probation service to prepare its report if Beckett was “at liberty”.

Judge Gilpin then turned to Beckett and told him: “As you have heard, the jury has found you guilty on several counts and not guilty on other counts.”

“In relation to the charges on which you have been found guilty, the court is obliged to enter judgment against you.”

After setting the plea hearing date for Friday, December 6, Judge Gilpin added: “As of this date, you are a registered sex offender.”

“The exact duration depends on the final sentence imposed by the court.

“Broadly speaking, the question is whether you should continue to be held on bail or whether you should be remanded in custody at this stage.”

The judge said that because of the guilty verdicts against nine children, there was “some inevitability of what could happen.”

Judge Gilpin revoked bail and remanded Beckett in custody.