Court told of alleged sex assaults on two young girls in leisure centre showers
A Co Armagh man allegedly carried out “opportunistic” sexual assaults on two young girls in a leisure centre’s showers, the High Court heard today.
Mark Coney, 43, is accused of targeting the children, both aged six, during a chance encounter last month.
He also faces prosecution for violating a previously imposed Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) by attending Orchard Leisure Centre in Armagh.
His application for bail was dismissed after it emerged that an adult complainant has made further allegations against him.
Coney, of Primates Cottages in Armagh, is currently charged with two counts of sexual assault on a child, two breaches of his SOPO and indecent exposure.
He was arrested after police were alerted to an incident at the leisure centre on September 6.
The court heard CCTV footage allegedly shows him entering and leaving communal showers in the changing rooms a number of times.
At one point one of the two girls ran out to bang on the door in an attempt to contact a family member.
“Police deem the offences to be opportunistic in nature,” a prosecution barrister said.
Bail was opposed amid claims that Coney poses a risk to the public and could commit further crimes.
It was also disclosed that an adult who lives in the same area has accused him of “similar offending” in connection with a separate incident on September 30.
Defence counsel Michael Boyd accepted the new complaint meant Coney could not return to his home.
“It is, in its own right, a very grave sounding allegation,” he told the court.
Following submissions Ms Justice Doherty ruled Coney must remain in custody because there is no suitable address.
The judge confirmed: “I will dismiss (the bail application) on that basis.”