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	Pervert: 'I'm Not Really That Bad' Anger over Rapist's Outburst By Lisa Smyth Belfast Telegraph [Northern Ireland] May 27, 2006 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=692758 A self-confessed paedophile was today branded despicable and repulsive by an Ulster sex abuse charity after he described raping a child as an "infatuation gone wrong." Director of Nexus Institute Gar McAtamney said comments made by former church sexton William James McKillop before he was sentenced for the sexual abuse of two young girls proves he does not appreciate the gravity of his heinous crimes. The Co Antrim pensioner was jailed for 12 years last week after admitting two counts of rape and five of indecent assault in a prolonged campaign of abuse on his two victims, beginning when they were six and seven-years-old and spanning almost two decades. In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph the night before he was sentenced, 66-year-old McKillop of Islandboy Road, Ballycastle, complained about press reports on the attacks he committed. "The Yorkshire Ripper didn't get the write up that I did," he said. "It was 40 years ago and I don't know why it should be interesting. I regret that it's been blasted all over the papers. I wouldn't be the worst criminal in the world." Despite admitting he had raped one of his victims, McKillop said it "might have been an infatuation that went wrong" and added that it would be impossible to find a man who had never made a mistake. And he expressed further bewilderment that he had been brought before the courts 40 years after he had committed the rapes. "I'm not saying it's right or wrong but it's a long time to keep quiet. There are a lot of years in between," he said. "To get to your high 60s and discover your retirement isn't going to be all it should be is sad but I have to accept what's ahead. "I have a perception you can get away with a paramilitary rap rather than a sex allegation. That seems to be the way the law works. I'm just a peace loving, quiet, easy going man who got on with everybody." During the interview, McKillop only mentioned one of his victims, saying: "I am sorry if I have caused her any pain and embarrassment over the years. "I'm sorry and I feel embarrassed about the whole thing. I regret going down that way at that particular time." Responding to McKillop's comments, Mr McAtamney said: "I am shocked that he even attempts to absolve himself due to the passage of time. "His victims endured indescribable hurt and pain for all those years whilst he as a church official purported to be a pillar of society. "McKillop admitted raping one of his victims and claimed it was an infatuation that went wrong. How utterly despicable and repulsive to in some way attempt to slur or blame his victims, who were mere children at the time."
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