Co Down pensioner accused of sex offence after paedophile hunter group 'sting' operation

At Newry Magistrates Court 72-year-old Mervyn Hanna was charged with attempted sexual communication with a child on 9 November last year.

Hanna, from Hall Road, Donaghcloney, is accused of intentionally attempting to communicate with a child for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification, which was intended to encourage the said child to make a sexual communication.

Giving evidence to the court a police officer said he believed he could connect the accused to the offence.

While none of the alleged facts were opened, it is understood the charge arises after a so-called paedophile hunter sting in Kilkeel which was captured on video.

The communication is alleged to have been with a decoy profile of a 13-year-old girl.In court today Hanna’s defence solicitor said he had made it clear during interview the case should be dealt with under the Indictable Case Process (ICP) scheme and fast-tracked to crown court.

He added, “This should go swiftly to the next stage and I ask the court to decide the best way to achieve that rather than bring my client back. The sooner we can get a date the better.”

District Judge Peter Magill asked whether there is a young victim involved but the solicitor confirmed “there is no injured party.”

A prosecuting lawyer told the court the full file is not due for some weeks so District Judge Magill adjourned the case until 15 May and excused Hanna from attending on that date.