Sex offender accused of sending explicit photos to boy aged 11

A CONVICTED Co Tyrone sex offender who avoided imprisonment earlier this year for child sex offences has been remanded in custody after allegedly contacting a random male child and sending him explicit photographs.

Mark Andrew Coney is accused of sexually communicating with an 11-year-old boy, causing or inciting him to engage in sexual activity and breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) by having sexual communication with a child.

All matters are alleged to have occurred on May 21.

A detective constable told Omagh Magistrates Court he could connect Coney (35), of Killyliss Road, Dungannon, to the new charges.

When previously sentenced at Dungannon Crown Court a SOPO was imposed with very stringent conditions, along with a Probation Order, after a judge was persuaded by a psychiatric report that “imprisonment would not be of benefit (as) this period of offending has ended”.

But the detective confirmed Coney is currently on bail accused of sexually assaulting and falsely imprisoning a female and detaining her against her will on July 5.

He is further accused of falsely imprisoning a second female and damaging her car in the same incident, followed after his arrest by alleged damage to a PSNI cell.

When that case reached court last month, press queried why there was no charge in that instance of breaching the SOPO.

A PSNI spokesperson said he was not considered to be in breach of the terms on that occasion.

However, the latest series of charges clearly alleged a breach has occurred.

Strenuously opposing bail, the detective said a male child in England received a random call from a mobile phone, which was later traced to Coney.

He allegedly apologised and hung up, but then sent a series of texts asking the boy’s age.

Copies of the texts were presented in court and are too graphic to report in detail, but in the course of engagement Coney suggested the boy go to his bathroom and exchange photographs by phone.

Coney, according to police, forwarded sexually explicit images of his private parts.

The boy was alarmed and passed the phone to his mother and she took over the texting before alerting police.

It was confirmed the contact was totally random and there is no connection between Coney and the child or his family.

Police said during interview Coney claimed to be an alcoholic and can’t remember sending any texts. to the presumption of innocence. He is already under a SOPO and stringent bail in respect of existing matters.

“It was a random act and protective measures could be put in place.”

Judge Holmes responded: “It is quite right there is a presumption of bail and presumption of innocence.

“However, I’m convinced in my own mind. The phone is traced back to the defendant.

“I am not going to discuss the quite frankly very offensive exchanges.

“He knew exactly what he was doing, yet says he cannot recall. This is literally every parent’s worst nightmare.

“I can think of nothing which could be done to prevent reoffending. Bail is absolutely refused.”

Coney was remanded in custody to appear at Dungannon Magistrates Court by video-link next month.