Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Man ‘caught by online kid decoy’
Accused ‘breached online chat ban’
A MAN banned from contacting children allegedly went online for sexual chats with a police decoy posing as a schoolgirl, the High Court heard yesterday.
Kenneth Menagh thought he was asking a 14-year-old to undress for him and to become his girlfriend, prosecutors claimed.
The 48-year-old faces charges of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, attempted sexual communication and attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming.
He was granted bail on tight conditions including a prohibition on accessing any social media or dating sites.
Menagh, of Lisburn Street in Ballynahinch, Co Down, is currently barred from associating with anyone under the age of 16.
Prosecutor Kate Mckay claimed he breached the terms of the order on April 10 this year through chats on an online platform.
Ms Mckay told the court: “He engaged with what he believed to be a 14-yearold female child who was, in fact, an adult police decoy.”
According to the prosecutor Menagh immediately began a sexual conversation and indicated a strong intent to meet. She said: “He asked if she was a virgin before introducing himself as Kenny.”
Lord Justice Treacy heard the defendant told the decoy he wanted to be her first meeting, and for her to become his girlfriend for real.
At one stage he accused her of being a paedophile hunter, but then continued
It was claimed he requested photographs and expressed a desire to see how she undressed.
Menagh allegedly asked her to pull her bra straps down, before then enquiring how it made her feel. Opposing bail, Mrs Mckay contended the potential risk he poses cannot be properly managed.
Defence counsel described Menagh as suffering from deteriorating mental health and alcohol abuse since his marriage broke up. He is also registered disabled, taking a cocktail of medication for diabetes and heart problems.
Despite expressing concerns over the alleged offences, Lord Justice Treacy granted bail based on the time Menagh has now spent behind bars.
Imposing an alcohol ban and prohibition on internet access, the judge warned Menagh any further breaches will result in an immediate return to custody.