An MLA says he will be writing to the Public Prosecution Service over the “pitiful sentence” handed down to a child sex offender. Former school welfare officer and Army Cadet leader Neil Beckett was jailed for 18 months on Friday after pleading guilty to abusing nine teenage girls he met through his work.

The offences, which spanned from 2015 to 2020, included grooming, indecent assault, and sexual communication with a child.

Doug Beattie, the Ulster Unionist MLA for Upper Bann, expressed outrage at the sentence and said it was “pitiful” and "overly lenient." He called for the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) to review the case.

“This man abused nine young girls over a period of years. His crimes are abhorrent, and the sentence handed down is simply not enough,” Mr Beattie stated. "The victims in this case deserve justice, and that means seeing the perpetrator receive a punishment that reflects the severity of his crimes."

Mr Beattie added: "I will be writing to the PPS to express my deep concern about this sentencing decision and urge them to review it as a matter of urgency."