The victims of a man who plied them with heroin then used them out for sexual services reacted with anger today (Thursday) when he was handed a seven-year sentence.
As 71-year old Oliver James MacCormack was being led into the dock of Belfast Crown Court for the sentence hearing, he turned to the public gallery and glared at some of his victims and their families.
After Judge Gordon Kerr KC imposed the seven-year sentence - which will be divided equally between prison and licence - one person shouted “boo” then the public gallery erupted.
While some of his victims burst out crying and were comforted by loved ones, others called him a “tramp” and a “scumbag”.
Prior to this, Judge Kerr set out MacCormack’s offending which was committed over a seven year period from 2015 and 2022 and involved nine young woman - one of whom is now deceased.
With an address given as HMP Maghaberry, MacCormack pleaded guilty to 40 offences which included multiple counts of human trafficking, supplying a Class A drug and controlling prostitution for gain on dates spanning between 2015 and 2022. He also admitted charged of intimidation and perverting the course of justice.
Describing MacCormack’s offending as “protracted, ongoing and repeated”, Judge Kerr said the victims ages ranged from 17 to early 20s. MacCormack targeted all the women when they were in a low place in their lives due to issues such as homelessness and drug addiction. One of his victims has just come out of an abusive relationship.
Judge Kerr said MacCormack “made himself indispensable” by not only arranging jobs for them as sex workers but also by providing them with food and drugs.
He said: “On one hand he was the person they could turn to, but on the other hand he was also actively contributing to their drug addiction and their role as a sex worker.”
Saying MacCormack used the woman “as commodities to be sold” in order to benefit himself financial, the Judge said he provided them with heroin in return for sexual services.
The women were regularly collected by MacCormack and driven to others for sexual services - and in some cases he picked them up from the Woman’s Aid Hostel in Belfast then took them to men willing to pay for sexual services.
This, the Judge said, was done “regardless” of the physical state these young women - who were often high on drugs or in withdrawal - were in.
Revealing some of the victims said they were ‘pimped’ by MacCormack, the Judge said: “The defendant knew the vulnerabilities of his victims and he exploited this.”
As well as organising these services, MacCormack often took money from the victims after they performed sexual services. In some cases, he took up to 60% of the earnings. MacCormack’s offending emerged as a result of an investigation by the PSNI’s Modern Slavery and Human Traffick Unit.
Following his arrest, he gave a false account to police. Denying any wrongdoing, MacCormack claimed he was helping vulnerable young women who were his friends. He said he gave them lifts as he wouldn’t see them stuck, claimed he lent them money and provided them with food.
Judge Kerr said he had read and considered Victim Impact Statements including one from the mother of one of MacCormack’s victims who lost her life to drugs.
He said: “All of these speak of how he (MacCormack) used the girls and made them feel abused once they realised that instead of being a kind helping hand, what he really wanted was to make money out of them and controlled their lives.”
Judge Kerr said he had also read defence submissions made on behalf of MacCormack.
Noting the pensioner has been in custody since May 2022, Judge Kerr said both his partner of 45 years and their two children are “still supportive of him”.
Also noted was MacCormack’s unwillingness to accept responsibility for his offending to Probation. Judge Kerr said he was giving credit to MacCormack for his guilty plea which saved court time and spared the victims giving “distressing evidence” in a trial.
He imposed a six-year sentence for all the human trafficking, controlling prostitution and drugs offences. An additional consecutive 12-month sentence was imposed for the intimidation and perverting the course of justice offences.
As he was being led from the dock and back into custody in handcuffs by prison staff, several people in the public gallery started shouting at him.
As well as being called a “paedo”, “tramp” and “scumbag”, one woman shouted “look me in the eye Oliver” while another shouted “long run the fox”.
Speaking outside court, the brother of one of MacCormack’s victims branded the sentence as a “disgrace”.
He said: “I spend my early teenage years watching my sister go down and down. She’s now in a hospital because of him. He ruined her life.”
Reacting to the news, the police said MacCormack “groomed and encouraged them to become involved in sex work”.
Detective Inspector Rachel Miskelly, from the Police Service’s Organised Crime Branch, added: “Oliver MacCormack is one of four men to have been sentenced in recent months as a result of a largescale investigation into human trafficking for sexual exploitation.
“It follows the sentencing of Derek Brown, aged 61, in early March; Kenneth Harvey, aged 74, who was sentenced last December; and Robert Rodgers, aged 79, sentenced last October.
“While the four defendants weren’t part of an organised crime group, they had a despicable commonality. They formed part of a network of older local men, who actively targeted young, vulnerable, local women for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
“All four were known to one another, and all preyed upon these vulnerable women, with Oliver MacCormack, Kenneth Harvey and Derek Brown exploiting several of the same victims. Meanwhile, Robert Rodgers facilitated meetings between the women and sex buyers at a brothel, which he ran from his home in north Belfast.
“The women, who were mainly trafficked around the Greater Belfast area, were vulnerable due to mental health issues, homelessness and their dependency on drugs. MacCormack targeted a total of nine female victims. He supplied the young women with drugs, ensuring that, over time, they would become dependent upon him for their supply of heroin.
“He groomed and encouraged them to become involved in sex work, and controlled their prostitution by arranging meetings with sex buyers, transporting them to and from appointments. The defendant, himself, also engaged in sexual acts with the individuals.”
Detective Inspector Miskelly continued: “This horrific exploitation has happened by local men and on our own doorsteps. They lined their pockets at the expense of young women, while using them for their own sexual gratification. The girls have been used, controlled and treated appallingly. It’s hard for most of us to truly imagine what trauma these girls have endured.
“In the case of the defendant Derek Brown we know that his victims were, understandably, initially reluctant to provide statements. It was only following the tragic death of one of the girls, who died of a suspected drug overdose, when this changed.
“Sadly, a second young woman died later that same year as a result of Sepsis due to intravenous drug use. In this case, the defendant Oliver MacCormack had played a major role in securing her dependency on drugs.
“Both untimely deaths have left two loving families absolutely heartbroken. Even though their worlds have been torn apart, both families have provided continued and invaluable support to our investigation, in what can only be described as the most harrowing circumstances.”
She added: “I want to acknowledge the support of Kirsten McKevitt, Senior Prosecutor from the Public Prosecution Service. The PPS, together with my own team, have been fully dedicated to this investigation, and in particular to supporting the victims. I’m also grateful to Woman’s Aid, Extern and The Welcome Centre for their assistance.
“Importantly, I’m keen to acknowledge the tremendous courage that the victims have shown. These young women have been inspirational, and I truly hope that others who may be suffering will be encouraged to come forward. I promise you that we are here to listen and to help you, and to bring those who would seek to use and abuse to justice.
“I’m also asking others to be mindful of the tell-tale signs of human trafficking. This isn’t something you can ignore, and if you see or hear any activity that causes you concern, please contact us on 101. In an emergency call 999; 101 in a non-emergency; or call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 012 1700.”
Information can also be provided, with complete anonymity, to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
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