Garvagh man (22) accused of breaching sexual offences prevention order remanded in custody

A man has been remanded in custody after he allegedly breached a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO).

Charlie Hill appeared before Limavady Magistrates Court, sitting in Coleraine, this morning accused of seven offences.

The 22 year-old, who the court heard is a registered sex offender and is the subject of a sexual offences prevention order, was arrested yesterday, May 28, for allegedly breaching a number of conditions linked to the order.

Hill, of Drumeen Drive in Garvagh, is charged with possession of an indecent photograph on April 23 and on April 24 being in possession of a mobile phone.

Hill is further charged on May 28 with distributing an indecent image, breaching the SOPO by having access to a cloud storage facility as well as possession of a camera or device that can take pictures.

Charges of failing to register all devices with his designated risk manager and accessing social media sites without prior approval of his designated risk manager were also put to the defendant.

These offences are alleged to have been committed on May 28.

Hill's designated risk manager told the court that he could connect the accused to all charges before the court.

He stated that the PSNI were made aware, via an outside agency, that Hill had access to the internet and had shared a category C image.

Police attended Hill's home in Garvagh on Tuesday and found a mobile phone hidden under the accused's mattress.

During interview, Hill also admitted further breaches of the SOPO, the court heard.

Hill's designated risk manager confirmed that he is not allowed a mobile phone which can access the internet and confirmed this is the third time since 2021 that the accused has been arrested on similar offences.

The officer said that police are opposed to releasing Hill on bail as they do not believe he will abide by any conditions imposed by the court.

Sam Barr, Hill's solicitor, said his client, who denies sharing an indecent image, has been banned from having a mobile phone since he was 15 years-old.

“We live in an age where young people communicate with each other through their mobile phones and he feels that he has been disadvantaged and cut off from his peers since the age of 15. He has no social life now at all and this is his outlet to contact friends,” Mr Barr said.

The judge told Hill that he considered him to be at risk of reoffending and refused bail.

Hill was remanded in custody until June 17.