"Beast of Ballysillan" Spotted Back in North Belfast, Fearing Families

A former soldier, known for his sickening and despicable sex crimes, has been spotted in the north Belfast district, causing fear among families. Thomas Lowry, 36, had served with the Royal Engineers in Iraq and had been convicted of subjecting a 12-year-old schoolgirl to sexual abuse during a period of home leave in 2011. After being released from prison in 2023, he moved to Shropshire, England, but has recently been seen back in Ballysillan, where he is not welcome.

Key Takeaways:

• Thomas Lowry, a former soldier known as the "Beast of Ballysillan," has been spotted back in the north Belfast district after being released from prison in 2023.
• Lowry was convicted of subjecting a 12-year-old schoolgirl to "sickening and despicable" sexual abuse during a period of home leave from the Royal Engineers in 2011.
• The schoolgirl took the morning after pill after the abuse occurred, fearing she might be pregnant.
• Lowry exchanged sexualised text messages with the victim and incited her to engage in sexual activity by asking her to send him pictures of herself.
• A defence lawyer stated that Lowry was remorseful and that the abuse was a result of his struggles with alcohol after two tours of war zones.
• Local residents are concerned about Lowry's return, with one parent stating that he has "some cheek" coming back to the community after the trauma he caused.

Statistics:

• 2011: The year in which Lowry subjected the 12-year-old schoolgirl to sexual abuse during a period of home leave from the Royal Engineers in Iraq.
• 2 years: The duration of Lowry's imprisonment for the sex crimes.
• 2023: The year in which Lowry was released from prison in England.
• 36: The age of Thomas Lowry at the time of his return to Ballysillan.
• 2019: The year in which the schoolgirl eventually went to police to report the abuse.

Sources:

• Belfast Crown Court
• The father-of-five also exchanged sexualised text messages with the victim, and in July 2013 he incited her to engage in sexual activity by getting her to send him pictures of herself.
• Reuters caption