Man remanded in custody after he contacted vulnerable woman via Facebook

A MAN Who was freed from prison last Wednesday has been sent back to jail after he allegedly breached a Sexual Offences Prevention Order within 24 hours of his release.

Ian Kernohan, with an address at a probation hostel on Belfast’s Ormeau Road, is accused of breaching the order by contacting a “vulnerable” female.

Belfast Magistrates Court was told he allegedly went to an internet cafe and contacted the person via Facebook.

The judge remanded him into custody.

Mr Kernohan had appeared before at Belfast Crown Court three days ago, when he was ordered to spend five months of a 30-month sentence in jail.

However, the 26-year-old was freed that day, because of the time he had served on remand.

But on Saturday, he appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court charged with breaching his SOPO on Thursday 27 June, the day after his release.

A police constable told the court he believed he could connect Kernohan to the charge.

He added that police were objecting to bail, on the grounds that probation had withdrawn Mr Kernohan’s hostel place.

A defence solicitor said that was the first time he had heard that information and so withdrew the bail application.

Mr Kernohan was remanded into custody, to appear again via videolink on Wednesday 3 July.