A school welfare officer and former army cadet leader has been remanded into custody after he was convicted by a jury of sexually abusing teenage girls.
As a result of the guilty verdicts, Neil Clarke Beckett - who is currently suspended from his role at Lagan College in south Belfast - was told by Judge Philip Gilpin “you are, from this point on, a registered sex offender”.
The judge also told Beckett that the length of time he will spend on the register will be determined when he is sentenced in December.
The 43-year old father-of-one, from Kilmore Village in Downpatrick, stood trial on 29 charges against nine teenagers which he denied.
These charges consisted of one count of rape, one count of sexual communication with a child, one count of sexual grooming and 26 counts of sexual assault.
After deliberating for over two days, the jury of six men and six women returned ‘unanimous’ verdicts on all the charges at Belfast Crown Court.
Beckett was acquitted of the rape charge, of sexual communication with a child and 10 counts of sexual abuse.
He was found guilty of 17 charges - namely one count of sexual grooming and 16 counts of sexual assault.
These charges were committed between 2015 and 2023.
Whilst he was cleared of raping and sexually assaulting an army cadet, he was convicted of sexually grooming her.
He was also convicted of sexually abusing a second army cadet by hugging, kissing and tickling her.
Regarding the Lagan College pupils, Beckett was convicted of sexually abusing seven pupils and acquitted of offences against a further two complainants.
This abuse consisted of hugging, kissing and tickling the pupils whilst in his position of power within the school and of touching some of the girls thighs under their skirts.
In a trial that spanned five weeks, the jury heard that this inappropriate behaviour made them feel uncomfortable.
The judge ordered a pre-sentence report be compiled on Beckett.
Regarding the issue of bail, Crown barrister David McNeill said Beckett had been convicted of sexual offences against nine victims over the course of up to eight years.
He added: “The courts in this jurisdiction have been clear that those who commit sexual offences against children in breach of trust will inevitably face condign punishment.”
Asking that her client be granted continuing bail ahead of sentencing, defence barrister Laura Ievers KC said she felt the it would be easier and “more helpful” for the Probation Service to compile their report if Beckett was “at liberty”.
Judge Gilpin then addressed Beckett and told him: “As you have heard, the jury have found you guilty of a number of counts and not guilty of other counts.
“In relation to those counts you have been found guilty of, the court is required to pass sentence upon you.”
After setting the date for the plea hearing as Friday December 6, Judge Gilpin added “you are, from this point on, a Registered Sex Offender.
“The precise duration of that will depend on the ultimate sentence that the court passes.
“The one issue at large is whether or not you should continue on bail or whether or not you should be admitted to custody at this stage.”
The judge said that due to guilty convictions against nine children, there was “a certain inevitability in what may occur”.
Judge Gilpin revoked bail and remanded Beckett into custody.