NEIL CUNNINGHAM FROM HILLSBOROUGH CO DOWN REMANDED OVER NEW SEX OFFENCES AND SIPO BREACHES

In a recent development in ongoing criminal proceedings, Neil Cunningham, a 29-year-old resident of Glebe Manor in Hillsborough, Co Down, has been remanded into custody following new allegations related to sexual offences and breaches of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (Sopo).

Lisburn Magistrates Court heard detailed accusations against Cunningham, who faces a total of eight charges. Among these, two specifically pertain to violations of the Sopo, which was originally imposed on him in 2014. The court was informed that between August 2 and August 17, 2016, Cunningham allegedly engaged in attempts to communicate with three female children for sexual purposes. It is also alleged that during this period, he committed acts that could have encouraged or assisted the children in creating indecent images.

Furthermore, it is claimed that Cunningham breached the terms of his Sopo by attempting to contact children and by attempting to conceal his internet activity during the same timeframe. The court also heard that on September 11, 2018, Cunningham allegedly made further attempts to communicate with a female child for sexual gratification. It is also alleged that he encouraged her to produce and distribute an indecent image, and that he again breached the Sopo by engaging in communication with a child.

Following these allegations, Cunningham was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear via video link on January 21. The court proceedings come after Cunningham’s previous conviction and sentencing in 2014, when he pleaded guilty to a total of 35 offences. These included 25 counts of making indecent photographs of children, eight counts of distributing or showing such images, and two charges related to possessing extreme pornography.

His original Sopo was imposed at Craigavon Crown Court following his earlier conviction, which included strict conditions designed to prevent further offending. These conditions prohibit him from associating with children, engaging in any work or activity that involves contact with children, and restrict his access to the internet. Cunningham is required to retain his internet activity logs and must not delete or deny access to police for his devices or media storage, as part of risk management measures. Additionally, he is barred from entering into any relationship without prior disclosure of his offending history to his risk manager.

In a related case from August 2014, Cunningham faced charges for making, distributing, and showing indecent images of children. He admitted to 35 offences committed between January 1, 2011, and May 18, 2013. His offences included 25 counts of creating indecent images, eight counts of distribution, and two counts of possessing extreme pornography. During that hearing, Cunningham’s defence lawyer acknowledged his understanding of the charges and requested that sentencing be deferred to allow for probation reports and psychiatric assessments. Judge Patrick Lynch QC agreed and released Cunningham on bail until the scheduled sentencing date of September 11, 2014.

The judge also issued a warning that Cunningham’s release did not imply any certainty about the case’s final outcome. As part of his sentence, Cunningham was ordered to register as a sex offender with the police and remains under strict supervision due to the serious nature of his offences.