Bushmills man sentenced to three years for child abuse offences

A 26-year-old Bushmills man has been sentenced to three years for 11 child sexual abuse offences.

Curtis Archibald will serve 18 months in custody followed by 18 months on licence. He has also been given a seven-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

Curtis Archibald sentenced at Antrim Crown Court

A Bushmills man has been sentenced for child abuse offences following an investigation by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Curtis Archibald, aged 26, was sentenced at Antrim Crown Court on Tuesday, 8 September 2026.

He received a three-year sentence, consisting of 18 months in custody and 18 months on licence.

Archibald was also given a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for seven years.

The sentence relates to 11 counts involving child sexual abuse.

The offences included:

• sexual communication with a child;
• causing or inciting a child aged between 13 and 16 to engage in sexual activity;
• possession of an indecent photograph of a child; and
• threatening to disclose private sexual images.

The PSNI published details of the sentencing following the court hearing.

Police investigation began after concerns were reported

Police received a report from a concerned adult on 5 February 2024.

Officers were told that a child had been forced to send images to Archibald and that he had threatened to share them.

Archibald was subsequently arrested and charged after police examined his digital devices.

PSNI praises victim’s bravery

Detective Chief Inspector Claire Gilbert said Archibald had groomed the victim from a young age and exploited her vulnerabilities.

She praised the victim for assisting officers during the investigation and helping bring her abuser before the courts.

DCI Gilbert also thanked the adult who reported their concerns to police, allowing safeguarding action to be taken.

She said:

“We rely on our local communities to be vigilant and be the voice for a child who doesn’t yet have the courage to speak up for themselves.”

The detective also warned those involved in child sexual abuse that police are continuing to work to reduce barriers which may prevent victims from reporting offences.

Victim encourages others to report abuse

The victim, who has been given the anonymous name Lisa, has spoken about her experience in the hope of encouraging other victims to seek help.

She described speaking out as one of the hardest things she had ever done but said she did not regret reporting what happened.

She said:

“I didn’t have a childhood, he took that from me. He took any innocence I had and robbed me of it.”

She also encouraged anyone who has experienced similar abuse to speak out.

“Don’t be scared, you are not alone.”

How to report child abuse in Northern Ireland

Parents, guardians and members of the wider community are being encouraged to report behaviour towards a child which causes concern, whether it happens online or in person.

Anyone who has experienced recent or non-recent child abuse can also contact police.

The PSNI can be contacted by calling 101 for non-emergency matters.

In an emergency, where someone is in immediate danger, call 999.

Concerns about child abuse or neglect can also be reported through Health and Social Care services.

Official guidance is available through NI Direct’s Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect service.

NI Direct advises people to report concerns where they believe a child:

• is being abused;
• has been harmed in any way; or
• is likely to suffer harm.

Even where someone is unsure whether abuse has taken place, concerns can still be reported to professionals.