Dungiven man accused of attempted sexual communication with child decoy offered a suitable bail address

A man who is accused of attempted sexual communication with a child decoy from a ‘paedophile hunter’ group has been offered a suitable bail address, a court has heard.

Michael Patrick Robinson appeared via video link before Limavady Magistrates' Court, sitting in Coleraine, earlier this morning.

The 53 year-old, whose address was given on court papers as Ard Na Smoll, Dungiven, is 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.

During today's hearing, District Judge Peter King asked for an update in the case.

A prosecutor told the judge that a suitable bail address has been found for the accused however Robinson's housing officer is currently liaising with police to establish if there are any threats against him.

The prosecutor added that a full file for the case will be available to the court at the beginning of November.

Judge King adjourned the case until October 1.

An earlier court hearing heard that police were contacted by ‘Justice Reborn’ on Sunday, August 10 after the group attended Robinson’s home.

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.  

Following his arrest, Robinson's home was targeted and graffiti was daubed over the front of the property.

At the time, police stated that the defendant could be attacked if he returns to the area.