A contest date has been fixed in the case of a notorious paedophile who insists he did not breach a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) by attending a Twelfth demonstration in Castlecaulfield as he had permission to be there.

Robert John Liddle (74) from Moorlough Road, Lisnsakea is accused of breaching the order by being at an event where females under 18 were present, without prior approval of his Designated Risk Manager.

When he first appeared before a special sitting of Dungannon Magistrates Court a detective said Liddle is banned from being within 30 metres of any child-centred facility or attraction.

Following arrest he enquired: “If I had went (sic) to Enniskillen (Twelfth) would it have meant the same thing?”

Objecting to bail the detective said Liddle remains under a SOPO which he has breached eight times, the most recent being dealt with by a suspended sentence at Enniskillen Magistrates Court in January.

He is also on Probation for other previous offending.

The detective continued: “He made no efforts to limit interaction with children at the event which had many child-focused attractions such as bouncy castles and ice-cream vans. He has to act responsibly to actively remove himself from any situation by which the SOPO could be breached.”

It was disclosed on July 11, Liddle had discussed the Twelfth parade with his Designated Risk Manager and was reminded he could not be in the vicinity of female children.

However, he did not indicate he would be attending the demonstration.

While bail was refused on that occasion, Liddle was later released by the High Court.

A defence barrister went on to advise the charge is denied adding: “My client says he had obtained permission from his Designated Risk Manager to attend the event.”

At the most recent hearing District Judge Michael Ranaghan remanded Liddle on continuing bail to attend for a contest on December 12.