A 52-year-old man has appeared in Coleraine Magistrates’ Court facing two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child.
The defendant, Mark Dunlop, whose address is listed as Castleton Park in Portstewart, attended a preliminary enquiry today (September 8), the formal legal process to send a case to the Crown Court..
The charges against Dunlop pertains to the period between January 28 and February 18, 2024, and February 16, 2024 respectively.
Using a walking stick, Dunlop made his way to the dock, where the charges were formally presented to him. He acknowledged receipt of the court papers and confirmed his understanding of the charges, expressing no objection to the holding of a preliminary enquiry.
District Judge Peter King, ruled that there was a ‘prima facie case’ to answer.
Consequently, the matter has been referred to Antrim Crown Court for the defendants arraignment, scheduled for October 6.
Dunlop has been released on continuing bail.