Shocking Incident: Man jailed for indecent act in Belfast chapel

A Co Down man who was caught engaging in a sex act in the side-room of a chapel in Belfast city centre was handed a prison sentence totalling six months.

Sentencing and Circumstances
Sean Paul Russell, 37, of Rathkeltair House, Market Street, Downpatrick, appeared at Belfast Crown Court where he received a four month sentence for committing an act outraging public decency at St Mary's Chapel last year. Judge Philip Gilpin also imposed a two month consecutive sentence for breaching a number of suspended sentences relating to a spate of thefts.

Incident Details
Police were called to Chapel Lane on the afternoon of May 18, 2024 following a report from a parishioner. It was the prosecution case that at around 3.15pm, Russell and a co-accused - Kirsty Leigh McMaster, 32, of no fixed abode - were present in a side room of the chapel. Others present in the church observed McMaster performing oral sex on Russell in the side room and police were alerted. When officers arrived, both Russell and McMaster were arrested and taken into custody.

Defendant's Defense
Defense barrister Sean Doherty told the court: "There is no one more appalled at this prosecution than the defendant himself. "He is a practicing Catholic and St Mary's Chapel is in his eyes a sacred place and clearly the locus is an aggravating factor.''