Co Derry man accused of attempted sexual communication with child decoy 'may be attacked' if he returns home

A man who is accused of attempted sexual communication with a child decoy from a ‘paedophile hunter’ group may be subject to physical attack if he returns to his Dungiven home, a court has heard. 

Michael Patrick Robinson appeared before Antrim Magistrates' Court, sitting in Ballymena, earlier this morning charged with attempting to communicate with a decoy under 16 years old, the communication being sexual.

The alleged offence is said to have been committed between July 18 and August 10.

An investigating officer told the court that police were contacted by ‘Justice Reborn’ on Sunday (August 10) after the group attended Robinson’s Ard Na Smoll home in Dungiven.

Members of the group confronted Robinson about his online activity and the encounter was streamed live on Facebook.

The officer said that police were given a pen drive and chat logs from an online dating site and WhatsApp.  The messages contained within the logs were between Robinson and the 14 year-old decoy which was being operated by an adult member of the ‘Justice Reborn’ group.

The court heard that the chat logs were sexually explicit in nature and spanned from July 19 to August 9.  

On July 22, the decoy made the defendant aware that he was 14 years-old and from that date onwards Robinson sent messages of a sexual nature.  The 30 page chat log contained messages such as ‘did you touch your thingy today?’ and ‘give it a little rub’.  

The court heard that 53 year-old Robinson also repeatedly instructed the decoy to masturbate as well as explaining sex between men in detail.  

The investigating officer said that during the interview Robinson had provided full admissions to the offence.

The officer said there was no suitable bail address for Robinson before the court and he cannot return to his home address as police have information that the defendant may be ‘subject to physical attack’ if he returns there.

Derry Now understands that Robinson’s home was targeted overnight and graffiti was daubed over the front of the bungalow where he had been living.

The investigating officer added that Robinson had stated to police that ‘he feels his life is over’ so police ‘would have concerns that he is going to harm himself’.

The officer stated that while no suitable bail address had been put forward to police, officers have no objections to him being released on bail should an address outside Dungiven be provided.

District Judge Nigel Broderick set bail at £500 and ordered Robinson to reside at an address to be approved by police.  As part of his bail conditions, Robinson is not allowed to be in possession of any internet enabled devices and is not to have contact with any person under the age of 18. He is also to report to police when an appropriate bail address has been approved.

Robinson was remanded in custody to appear before Limavady Magistrates’ Court on September 3.