Man remanded for two attempted sexual assaults on 14-year-old female

A man has appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with two attempted sexual assaults on a 14-year-old female. 

The man who cannot be identified in order to protect the identity of the alleged victim in the case is charged with two attempted sexual assaults on October 31 last year.

He was also charged with supplying Class B drugs to another on dates in October 2024.

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail. 

She said that the incident allegedly occurred when the 14-year-old was putting on make up as part of her Halloween costume. 

The defendant was said to have entered and told the girl 'show me' indicating the girl's groin area and then was said to have grabbed his own private parts.

He was also was said to have touched her on the leg and told her 'shown me' on another occasion. 

The next day he was said to have said he was sorry.

Bail was objected to due to the risk of reoffending and possible interference with witnesses. 

The court was told the man was currently chargedwith domestic offences relating to the girl's mother.

A police officer said that the defendant had 'a propensity for violence' and it was 'highly likely' he would re-offend.

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Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said his client was 'vehement' in his denials.

He said he claimed he could show he was not even in Derry when some of the alleged offences occurred.

The solicitor said that the defendant had already been granted bail but had not perfected it as he could not get an address outside the city.

District Judge Alanagh McSorley said there was a clear risk of reoffending and refused bail. 

The man was remanded in custody to appear again on October 16.