Former police officer sentenced for gross indecency towards child
Ryan McKenna, 43, was sentenced at Dungannon Crown Court on Tuesday to one year in prison followed by one year on probation for gross indecency towards a child.
McKenna, whose address was listed as Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) headquarters, Knock, Belfast, appeared at Dungannon Crown Court on Tuesday for sentencing. He 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.
Having been in custody since December 2025, McKenna was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and an additional 12 months probation. He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.
Delivering his sentencing remarks, Judge Richard Greene commended the female victim for coming forward and acknowledged the significant impact the abuse had on her personal life and childhood memories.
"The female victim should be commended for coming forward."
"The impact on her personal life and childhood memories would have been significant."
Offence committed in a breach of trust situation
The court heard that the victim was close to her 11th birthday at the time the offence occurred. Details revealed that McKenna rubbed and exposed his genitals while sharing the same bed as the victim.
In summarising the case, Judge Greene stated:
"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 also noted that McKenna, now 43, is married with three children and had been employed as a police officer before losing his job as a result of the conviction. This loss of employment has caused consequential financial strain on his family, particularly his wife, who has had to work, care for their three children, and take on responsibilities for her mother-in-law.
McKenna's defence barrister reminded the court there was "no allegation of skin on skin touching," but acknowledged this did not diminish the seriousness of the offence. The defence also highlighted that McKenna had already served seven months on remand and outlined the impact additional custody time would have on his family, including his young children.
In concluding the sentencing, Judge Greene took into account that McKenna was assessed as low risk for further offending, had family support, stable long-term accommodation, no previous convictions, and no addiction issues. However, the judge emphasized the gravity of the offence:
"This offence is so serious that only a custodial sentence can be considered."
McKenna was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and 12 months probation, ordered to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years, and disqualified from working with children.
