Jailed pensioner appeals conviction for abusing teenage boy

A 74-year-old man from Crolly, County Donegal, appeared before the Court of Appeal on 28 November to challenge his conviction for sexually abusing a teenage boy over three decades ago. John Barrow had been found guilty by jury of six counts of indecent assault against the then 14-year-old between August 1989 and September 1990. He was sentenced to six years imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, in June 2017. During today's appeal hearing, Barrow's legal counsel argued that a significant inconsistency in the prosecution case concerning when the complainant was in sixth class undermined the indictment's timeframe. The Director of Public Prosecutions' representative maintained there was sufficient evidence for the jury to assess credibility. The three-judge panel reserved judgement, with the court expected to deliver its decision on 10 December.