Paedophile allegedly seen swimming with children
Rodney Edwards • Published 8 Sep 2011 13:00
CONVICTED paedophile Robert Liddle could face five years in jail after he was allegedly spotted swimming with children at a Ballycastle holiday park.The 63-year-old from the Moorlough Road in Lisnaskea appeared at Coleraine Magistrates Court last Friday charged with breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) which bans him from being near children.The charge accuses Liddle of swimming at Silver Cliffs Holiday Village, Clare Road, Ballycastle, on July 29 of this year with children present and without obtaining consent from his designated risk manager as stipulated in his SOPO.The order, which remains in force for five years, prohibits Liddle from loitering at or within 50 metres of any school, youth club, play grounds or bus stop between 8am and 9am and 3pm and 4pm.
He is not allowed to take part in any activity that gives him access to a child or young person without first obtaining consent from a designated Risk Manager.
He is banned from having any children's clothing or toys or any pornographic material which displays or implies that the participants are under the age of 18 years of age.
He is not allowed to incite a child or young person to be in a motor vehicle in which he is travelling.
He must notify the designated Risk Manager at least seven days in advance, of a change in his place of residence, with the exception of an emergency, and take any advice offered.Liddle's court appearance follows revelations in The Impartial Reporter by a concerned mother who spotted him at the holiday complex and alerted police.Ann Johnston, from Maguiresbridge, told this newspaper how she watched as the child molester slowly circled the children's play area - with toddlers and teenagers present. He later allegedly walked through a games room where a number of children were playing and towards the reception area and to the pool.
A defence solicitor said Liddle faces a "fairly substantial" period in jail if convicted.
Liddle was released on his own bail of £350 with a condition that he cannot leave Fermanagh without contacting the PSNI's Public Protection Unit.
He is due back in court in Coleraine on October 14.
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 08 Sep 11
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