A man facing assault and disorderly behaviour charges has failed in a legal bid to have a ban on 'paedophile hunting' activities lifted.
Kenneth Abbott is accused of committing the offences during a confrontation with a man in Belfast last year.
The 45-year-old, of Cluan Place in the city, was originally charged with more serious counts of false imprisonment, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and acting provocatively by shouting allegations of a sexual nature.
Those three charges have all now been withdrawn, it was confirmed at Belfast Magistrates' Court today.
Instead, Abbott is only to be prosecuted for alleged common assault and disorderly behaviour at Chamberlain Street on November 23 2017.
He has been out on bail under strict terms, including a prohibition on accessing social media, dating sites or public records.
Due to the reduced charges no opposition was raised to those restrictions being removed.
But a PSNI officer resisted a further attempt to have a condition banning Abbott from any online paedophile hunting lifted.
She told the court it was necessary for public order reasons.
Defence solicitor Andrew Russell argued that the continued prohibition was disproportionate to the charges his client now faces.
However, District Judge Fiona Bagnall maintained the order.
Abbott is due back in court with two co-accused at a later date.
