Man forced to leave accommodation breached terms of Sexual Offences Prevention Order

A man who appeared in court last week for breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) had to leave his accommodation after threats following publicity around his case.

Mark Riley (51) of no fixed abode appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court today for breaching the terms of the SOPO by not notifying police after he was evicted from his accommodation. 

A police officer said that the SOPO had been granted at Newtownards on March 14 last year for a period of five years with a condition he notify police of any change of address. 

The court heard that on February 17 Riley had been evicted from his accommodation and police discovered this on February 19.

Riley had gone to hospital for one night and then had gone to an hotel but failed to notify police. 

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said his client had been in court last week over possessing a mobile phone and had sworn there was nothing on it. 

He added that following publicity for the case Riley received a threat and had to leave his accommodation and had 'nowhere to go '.

The solicitor said that Riley 'didn't have time to contact police ' and added that it was a very difficult situation. 

He said his client had to leave Newtownards due to threats and was now living at 'the whim of others'.

District Judge Barney McElholm said if Riley had not offended in the first place he would not be in this situation. 

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He said that the defendant would have to learn to 'prioritise' his dealings with police. 

A police officer told the court that an encrypted file had been found on the phone but police had been unable to open it yet.

Judge McElholm said if anything was found on the phone Riley was going straight to prison. 

He sentenced the defendant to 4 months in prison suspended for 2 years.