A pensioner who exploited vulnerable young women by supplying them with heroin in exchange for them working as prostitutes has been given a seven-year sentence.
Oliver James MacCormack, 71, was sentenced at Belfast Crown Court having previously plead guilty to 40 offences, which include charges of human trafficking and controlling prostitution.
He also admitted a charge of perverting the course of justice, witness intimidation and offences of supplying class A drugs.
There were nine victims involved in the case, some as young as 17 at the time of the offences. One has since died.
Passing sentence, Judge Gordon Kerr said MacCormack, whose address was given as Maghaberry prison, used drugs as a means to control his victims.
The former car salesman sat in the dock as the judge delivered his remarks.
At the conclusion of the hearing, a number of the victims and their families shouted abuse at MacCormack from the public gallery as he was led out of the court.
He did not react to shouting.
The prosecution of MacCormack followed an investigation by the PSNI's modern slavery and human trafficking unit.
Several other men have already been sentenced as part of the same investigation.
A police officer has described the "horrific exploitation" of victims following the sentencing of MacCormack.
Detective Inspector Rachel Miskelly said MacCormack targeted nine female victims, supplying them with drugs ensuring they became 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," she said.
"The defendant himself also engaged in sexual acts with the individuals.
"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."
She also paid tribute to 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," she said.
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"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."
One of MacCormack's victims has described how their life was upended overnight to become manipulated, controlled and dependent on drugs.
The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, said in a statement that MacCormack got them hooked on heroin and "orchestrated it that I became completely dependent on him to get my fix".
They said: "One day I went from being employed in (a company), aged in my early 20s, to overnight becoming an advertised escort, a heroin addict waking up sick every day; and stealing from my family to buy heroin from him.
The victim said they are now free from heroin and feel "stronger than I have in a long time".
