75-year-old sex offender denies breaching protection order in Derry supermarket
Judge shields identity of 75-year-old amid safety concerns raised during city court hearing
A 75-year-old man who was convicted of sexually assaulted a child member of his family has appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with breaching his Sexual Offences Prevention Order by approaching a child in Sainsburys.
The man who cannot only be identified by his initials, C O'C, and whose address cannot be published was charged with breaching his SOPO on May15 by approaching a 7-year-old in Sainsburys and offering her sweets to accompany him.
A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.
He said this was the second breach of the order as the defendant had been found in Armagh last year in breach of the address aspect of the order.
The officer said that if released the defendant could return to the same circumstances as regards children and he added that police believe the defendant would be at risk if released.
Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that the first breach was technical but this breach 'causes more concern'.
He said his client denied approaching the child but claimed the child fell off a scooter and he went to assist.
The solicitor said that it was security staff at Sainsburys who claimed to have heard the comments about sweets
He said the defendant had a drink problem but he was not out 'actively seeking the company of children'.
District Judge Suzanne Rice said the SOPO was designed to protect children.
She told the defendant that she would grant bail but this was his final chance.
She added that there were concerns about the risk facing the defendant and so imposed the partial anonymity order.
The defendant was released on bail to appear again on June 11.