Tweed convicted of child sex abuse

[Donny B.]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/bre ... ing33.html

A retired Irish rugby international was remanded in custody today after being convicted of child sex abuse charges.

David Alexander Tweed (53), of Clonavon Terrace in Ballymena, Co Antrim, has been found guilty of nine counts of indecent assault and one of gross indecency.

The railway supervisor, who is also a Ballymena councillor, stood trial at Antrim Crown Court.

He was facing 14 counts of sexually abusing two young girls over an eight-year period from 1988.

The jury of 10 women and two men are continuing their deliberations on three other charges.

Tweed was cleared of one count of indecent assault yesterday.

Judge Alistair Devlin, who has been presiding over the-three week trial, said a number of other counts remained to be deliberated upon. "You have had just under eight hours to carry out your deliberations. As far as the remaining counts are concerned is there any prospect of reaching a majority verdict?”

The jury foreman said she believed they could reach a majority verdict - on which 10 or more members were agreed - on the three other charges if they were given more time.

Tweed, a father of four who also has two stepchildren, had consistently denied anything improper had happened with the girls, who are now adults.

This was the second time Tweed faced child sex abuse allegations.

In 2009 a jury took one hour to unanimously find him not guilty of 10 counts of sex abuse against two other young girls.

Today, Tweed, who was wearing a dark suit, striped shirt and blue tie, appeared nervous as the clerk of the court read out each of the charges and asked the jury foreman whether they had agreed a majority verdict.

He stood in the dock with his hands clasped tightly and took a couple of deep breaths. As the guilty verdicts were returned he shook his head and sighed deeply.

None of the victims, who had given evidence during the trial, were in the courtroom as the verdicts were given. However, friends and family members of the victims wept - one woman ran outside in tears.

Earlier in this trial, Judge Devlin had told the jury it was desirable but not imperative to reach a unanimous or majority verdict, and told them he could use discretion to discharge them without a decision.

He said: “Hitherto you appear to be having some difficulties in reaching a unanimous or majority verdict in respect of some or all of the charges.”

Tweed was capped four times for Ireland. He made his debut against France in the 1995 Five Nations competition and played in the Rugby World Cup in South Africa.

He was also a prominent Ulster Rugby star with more than 30 appearances for the team during the 1980s and 1990s.

[domhnallj]

Belfast Telegraph really puts the boot in http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/ ... 43768.html

Apparently detested by Catholics in Dunloy - not to worry, he'll be detested by everyone in jail.

[nc6000]

I never understood why he played for Ireland. He obviously detested us so why was he picked and why did he bother turning up to play? Wasn't there an incident in the dressing room before a match with Clohessy over him wearing his Ulster jersey under the Ireland shirt?

[RobbieRockBoy]

Was bound to be a case sometime.

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/c ... 28430.html