Former police officer jailed for gross indecency towards child

A former police officer has been sentenced to one year in prison and one year on probation for gross indecency towards a child.

Ryan McKenna, 43, whose address was given as Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) headquarters, Knock, Belfast, appeared at Dungannon Crown Court on Tuesday.

McKenna had previously been found guilty in December 2025 of a single count of committing an act of gross indecency with or towards a child on a date unknown between November 2004 and February 2009.

He has been in custody since December 2025 and appeared at Dungannon Crown Court on Tuesday for sentencing.

Warning: This article contains graphic details.

The judge delivered a 12-month sentence, with 12 months probation and ordered that McKenna sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Delivering his sentencing remarks Judge Richard Greene said the female victim should be "commended for coming forward".

Judge Greene said the impact on her personal life and childhood memories would have been "significant".

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said McKenna was not a serving police officer at the time of the offences and after receiving a report, he was immediately suspended from duties pending investigation.

A spokesperson said: "Following a swift internal investigation by the PSNI's Professional Standards Department, he is no longer a serving officer having been dismissed from the Police Service of Northern Ireland."

The victim, who has been granted lifelong anonymity, said "no child should ever experience what I did" and said if speaking out protects even one child, then it was "worth the pain and hurt I've endured".

"I am exhausted and whilst the impact of what happened will stay with me for the rest of my life, being heard and believed matters to me," the victim said in a statement.

"Receiving justice for what was done to me has given me hope for the future."

The court heard how the victim was close to their 11th birthday at the time of the offending incident.

Details included the fact McKenna rubbed and exposed his genitals while in the same bed as the victim.

When summarising the case, Judge Greene said: "In terms of culpability this abuse was of a young child of not yet 11 and the defendant was 25 at the time, the offence was committed in a breach of trust situation.

"The circumstances in which this abuse was carried out required planning, whereby in this case arrangements had been made to sleep in his bed."

The judge outlined how McKenna is now 43, is married with three children and had been employed as a police officer and had subsequently lost his employment.

The judge said that this had brought "consequential financial strain" on his family, in particular his wife who had to work, look after three children and take up caring responsibilities for her mother-in-law.

A defence barrister for McKenna reminded the court that there was "no allegation of skin on skin touching", but acknowledge that this "did not take away from the seriousness of the offence".

McKenna's defence barrister also pointed how he had already served seven months on remand and further outlined the impact more time in custody would have on his family, including his young children.

In concluding his sentencing, Judge Greene said he took into account that McKenna was deemed as being low risk in terms further offending, he had support from his family, had long term stable accommodation, had no previous convictions and no addiction issues.

But judge Greene added: "This offence is so serious that only a custodial sentence can be considered."

McKenna was sentenced to 12 months in prison and 12 months on probation.

He was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for a period of 10 years and was disqualified from working with children.