Man accused of catalogue of sex offences stored thousands of indecent images of his own daughter, court is told

Police also claimed details relating to more than 50 potential victims were discovered on his electronic devices.

Other UK forces are now involved in attempting to “safeguard and identity” any further children he allegedly targeted, a judge was told.

The 51-year-old man, who cannot be named, is currently charged with rape, sexual assault, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, sexual communication with a child and attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming.

He is also accused of possessing and distributing indecent images of a child, threats to kill, harassment and blackmail.

The alleged offences were committed over a period from July 2019 to March 2020.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court was told he is expected to face more than 200 charges in total.

“He is still to be interviewed for a significant amount of evidence located from his address,” a detective said.

Opposing bail, he revealed that 54 alleged victims were found on devices linked to the defendant, with 585 different user names identified.

Police have discovered 93 suspected Category A images, 735 in Category B and 6,192 Category C.

The court heard 2,582 of those are believed to relate to the man’s own daughter.

It was alleged that some showed her in clothing selected by the defendant.

Police are also seeking a warrant to examine his home, which has been sealed off as a potential crime scene.

“Forensic scientists have asked us to do a full search because there’s clothing relating to his daughter that has been worn and we have to rule out as not being at the property,” the detective added.

Defence counsel suggested his client could be released to live at hostel accommodation.

But refusing bail, District Judge Fiona Bagnall said: “The address, while important, is one of the least of his worries in this case.

“There is no way I’m going to release this man back out into society at this point in time.”

Citing the scale of the investigation, Mrs Bagnall added: “There is a likelihood of over 200 charges, there is a long, long way to go sadly in this case.”

She remanded the defendant in custody until December 18.