Soldier is guilty of sex assaults

--BBC--

A soldier from County Donegal has been found guilty of four counts of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. Kenneth McDonald, 34, who is attached to the army at Finner Camp in Donegal had sex with the girl in his car in woodlands in 2003. During the trial, the victim, who is now 19, told the court that she had sex 59 times that year with 22 men. The jury was told there was no suggestion that McDonald coerced or forced the girl to have sex in any way. McDonald was placed on the sex offenders' register. The case was adjourned for sentencing. The soldier, who serves with the Irish Defence Force, was found not guilty on two other counts. McDonald's wife sat beside him as the verdicts were announced. She was very upset and almost collapsed as friends helped her to a car outside. She said that the pair had married in 2004. During the trial, the jury was told there was no allegation that the girl did not consent to sex or that McDonald forced himself upon her or coerced her in any way. They were also told the law is designed to protect children not only from lustful men but also from themselves.