A 44-year-old Belfast man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexual abuse and child cruelty offences committed against three children.

Neil Jackson was handed a sentence of 10 years in custody followed by 10 years on licence at court today. He will also be placed on the child sex offender's register for life.

Jackson was convicted of 45 offences spanning several years. The victims were between five and 13 years old at the time of the abuse.

The charges included rape of a child under 13, common assault, and other serious sexual offences. The sexual abuse was carried out against one young girl over a three-year period, while the cruelty and abuse offences affected two young girls and a young boy over five years.

Detective Superintendent Kerry Brennan described Jackson's actions as predatory, manipulative, and entirely depraved. She said the sentence reflected the severity of the crimes and the lasting trauma inflicted on the victims.

She praised the three victims for their courage and resilience in coming forward, noting that reporting such deeply personal experiences requires immense strength. She expressed hope that the conviction would encourage other victims of sexual abuse, whether recent or non-recent, to contact police.

Brennan acknowledged that no sentence could undo the harm caused but said the outcome provided a measure of justice and reassurance that those who abuse children will be held accountable.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said protecting children and pursuing offenders remains a priority. Anyone affected by sexual abuse can report concerns by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.