Child sex attack accused ‘offered girl’s family £20,000’
A RESTAURANT boss accused of sexually assaulting an eight-yearold girl was allegedly involved in trying to “buy off” her family with a £20,000 bribe, the High Court heard yesterday.
The child’s father claims he was also told ownership of a £50,000 business would be signed over to him if the complaint against Thomas Mathew was dropped, prosecutors said. The claims emerged as Mathew (62), was granted bail on charges connected to an alleged incident in Ballymoney, Co Antrim, last month.
The defendant, of Old Church Crescent in Clondalkin, Co Dublin, denies counts of sexually assaulting a child and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
Mathew, who owns restaurants in Ballymoney and Newry, touched the girl and asked her to kiss him during an encounter on February 24, it was alleged.
Police were informed that the child’s father was contacted by an associate of Mathew after he was arrested, the court heard.
Prosecution counsel Kate McKay said: “It was alleged by him that he was told the applicant would give him £20,000 in cash and sign over the ownership of a business valued at £50,000 if the allegation by his young daughter was not pursued.”
CCTV footage from a custody suite at Coleraine Police Station shows Mathew asking his associate to speak to the family in an attempt to reach a settlement, Mrs McKay contended.
The accused, who was born in India but has Irish nationality, has not been charged with any offences linked to the attempted bribe allegations.
He has made a counter-claim that he was being blackmailed for money to stop the sexual assault complaint being made. During interviews, Mathew admitted tickling the girl, but insisted there had been no sexual aspect.
Defence counsel told the court his client was well-known to the child and was acting as a babysitter while her father was at work.
Mathew was granted bail to a hostel in Portstewart on the condition that he surrenders his passport and lodges a £20,000 cash surety.