Courts / Wicklow / Report

Suspended sentence for abuse of boy after Christian youth trip

Summary

A retired salesman, Gordon Black, aged 70, received a suspended two‑year prison sentence for indecent assault of a boy while both were members of the Boys Brigade in the 1960s. Black was between 16 and 20 when he molested a victim aged 12 to 16. He pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault between 1965 and 1969. The judge noted Black's remorse, lack of prior convictions and the absence of a prison sentence, but suspended the term on the condition that he keep the peace. The court heard that one assault occurred after a youth group trip, when Black drove the boy home, forced him into the back seat, and attempted to have him kiss his penis. The victim, now 66, still feels anger and distress when recalling the abuse. Black admitted that he had been abused as a child by three different people.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for abuse of boy after Christian youth trip. Charges or matters: three counts of indecent assault of a male on dates between 1965 and 1969. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• 1965 and 1969 Incident
• 2020-01-15 Publication

Why: Black was driving the victim home and pulled the car over and told the victim to get into the back seat because he wanted to "show him something". CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report