BANGOR MAN APPEARS IN COURT OVER CHILD SEX COMMUNICATION CHARGE
A Bangor man has appeared in court accused of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child after being caught by a local paedophile hunter group.Standing in the dock at Newtownards Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 49-year-old Stephen McDermott, of Silverstream Crescent, confirmed his identity and that he understood the single charge against him.
McDermott faces one count of attempted sexual communication with a child, alleged to have been committed on 24 August 2024.
The charge states that, for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification, he “intentionally attempted to communicate with a person under 16 years, the communication being sexual or intended to encourage the said person to make a communication that was sexual, and he did not reasonably believe the person was 16 years or over.” It is understood that McDermott was arrested just over a year ago following a sting operation by the local paedophile hunter group Child Online Protection Enforcement.
During Thursday’s hearing, a police officer told the court he believed he could connect McDermott to the charge.
Prosecuting counsel requested a six-week adjournment “for a full file” to be prepared, noting that by then a decision may be made on whether the case will proceed summarily or on indictment in the Crown Court.
Defence solicitor Dermot Bowes raised no objection to the adjournment.
District Judge Mark Hamill adjourned proceedings to 6 November 2025, releasing McDermott on his own bail of £400 with conditions requiring him to reside at his home address and prohibiting contact with anyone under 18.
