Prolific sex offender branded a ‘barely functioning human being’ sentenced indecent images of children

The wheelchair using pensioner made full admissions to possessing indecent images of children found on several devices

A prolific sex offender branded a “barely functioning human being” was back in court today where he was sentenced for possessing indecent images of children.

Carey Lyons was brought from custody into Belfast Crown Court in a wheelchair and was handed a sentence of four years and four months by Judge Neil Raffety KC.

With an address at Claremont House on Richmond Avenue in Derry, the 67-year old was sentenced for two sets of offences committed in October 2020 and March 2023.

On March 18, 2023 the PSNI searched Lyons flat in Derry. He was in hospital and after staff observed a laptop in his room, they alerted police.

At the time, Lyons was a both a registered sex offender and the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order. A number of devices including phones and a laptop were seized and examined.

He was arrested later that year and during interview, the pensioner made full admissions to possessing indecent images of children found on the devices and breaching his SOPO.

Lyons also pleaded guilty to charges of possessing indecent images of children and possessing extreme pornographic images dating back to October 27, 2020.

On that date, an address in Belfast used by Lyons was searched and the images were located on various devices. Citing Lyons “very significant criminal record for similar offending going back decades” as an aggravating factor, Judge Raffety said the defendant continues to re-offend.

Defence barrister Mark Barlow told Judge Raffety “the reality is that Carey Lyons is a totally and utterly inadequate human person who is devoid of any relationship with anybody.”

Revealing his client had a low IQ, Mr Barlow said that when he feels stressed Lyons breaches court orders “by going to get a laptop, he goes online, downloads images and waits for the Police Service of Northern Ireland to come and knock on his door. That is the pattern.”

Mr Barlow added that Lyons does not share these images and doesn’t “hang around in chatrooms.” Revealing Lyons has been in custody since his arrest in November 2023, the defence barrister also spoke of Lyons ailing health and the need for suitable accommodation when he is released.

Branding Lyons a “barely functioning human being” who lives an isolated life and is incapable of independent living, Judge Rafferty said his health needs – including heart and mobility issues – were “complex.”

Judge Raffety said it was “beyond question” that a custodial sentence was necessary and imposed a sentence of four years and four months which he divided equally between prison and supervised licence upon his release. Lyons is already on the Sex Offenders Register and will be the subject of a SOPO until March 2033.

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