Sex offender 'brazenly defied' ban by going to church
A convicted sex offender who targeted a schoolgirl in church “brazenly” defied a prohibition by attending places of worship where hundreds of children could be present, the High Court heard today.
Stanley Richmond, 63, claimed he was seeking solace and support in going to hear sermons around the Ballymena area.
But a judge refused to grant him bail after identifying a significant risk of causing further harm. Mr Justice Humphreys said: “The alternative analysis is that the attraction of attending family fun days and church events at which children would be in attendance around the Christmas period had become irresistible to [him].”
Richmond, of Galgorm Road in the Co Antrim town, has been charged with three separate breaches of his Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) on dates in November and December.
The SOPO was imposed following previous convictions for inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual communication with a child he encountered at a Ballymena church back in April 2022.
Richmond approached the 14-year-old girl and subjected her to “depraved and disgusting” remarks, the court heard.
The order prohibits him from attending places of worship unless there is a signed contract of behaviour agreed with church leaders and also approved by his designated risk manager.
He is accused of breaching those terms by attending the Elim Pentecostal Church on December 6. Richmond was also arrested for being at a Free Presbyterian Church in the town on November 16 and December 14.
Denying bail, the judge held that Richmond could not be safely managed in the community.