A Co Down pensioner has appeared in court accused of a sex offence following a sting operation by a paedophile hunter group.
At Newry Magistrates Court, 72-year-old Mervyn Hanna was charged with attempted sexual communication with a child on November 9 last year.
Hanna, from Hall Road, Donaghcloney, is accused of intentionally attempting to communicate with a child for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification, which was intended to encourage the said child to make a sexual communication.
While none of the alleged facts were opened, it is understood the charge arises after a so-called paedophile hunter sting in Kilkeel which was captured on video.
The communication is alleged to have been with a decoy profile of a 13-year-old girl.
In court on Wednesday, Hanna’s defence solicitor said he had made it clear during interview the case should be fast-tracked to crown court.
District Judge Peter Magill asked whether there is a young victim involved but the solicitor confirmed “there is no injured party”.
A prosecuting lawyer told the court the full file is not due for some weeks so DJ Magill adjourned the case until May 15 and excused Hanna from attending on that date.