Man remanded in custody on over child sex offences

A COURT has refused bail to a 46-year-old man charged with sexual offences, including against a three-year-old boy.

The Bangor man was arrested on Monday in connection with 12 incidents that occurred between 1996 and 2008 in the north Down and Belfast areas.

He appeared at Newtownards Magistrates’ Court following almost 24 hours of queastioned.

The man, who is originally from Scotland, is accused of:

* six counts of indecent assault on a female child;

* one of sexually touching a child under 13;

* two counts of gross indecency towards a child;

* two of indecent assault;

* and one charge of actual bodily harm.

The man, who denies all the charges, cannot be named to protect the identity of his alleged victims.

A police officer told the court that the charges were ‘sample’ offences and that she believed the defendant could be linked to hundreds more offences.

He was arrested at a bed and breakfast in Donaghadee, Co Down, on Monday.

The court heard that he had all his possessions in a car, and may have been planning to flee Northern Ireland.

The judge refused bail after the police witness argued there was a substantial risk the defendant could interfere with potential witnesses.

The defendant was remanded in custody to appear in court again on August 20.