A MAN allegedly breached a Sexual Offences Prevention Order by purchasing a new smartphone two hours after his release from custody, the High Court has heard.
Prosecutors claimed 39-year-old Richard McCrea's actions last week were part of a "disturbing pattern of behaviour".
But defence lawyers argued that he bought the new phone to contact family on leaving prison because his old device was low on battery.
McCrea, with a hostel address at Ventry Lane in Belfast, was refused bail.
The court was told he has been assessed as a category three sex offender.
He previously portrayed himself as a 17-year-old on social media in an attempt to contact and meet a young girl, according to the prosecution.
On February 13 McCrea received an 11-month prison sentence at Antrim Crown Court for a separate breach of his Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).
But because of the length of time spent in custody on remand he was released at that stage.
One of the conditions was that he was not to obtain a new mobile phone without prior approval from his designated risk manager.
Crown lawyer Natalie Pinkerton claimed McCrea breached that within hours. McCrea used the device to phone his risk manager the following day and confirmed what he had done, the court heard.
He was arrested when he attended a police station to register his address later that morning.
Ms Pinkerton stressed there was no suggestion he had used the phone to commit any offence.
But she argued: "While there hasn't been any further contact with young people, it was two hours after release from custody that he's gone to purchase a mobile phone after being expressly told not to."
Defence counsel said McCrea had been attempting to get to his new hostel accommodation, realised his old phone was running out of battery and bought the new device to let his family and friends know what was happening.
Denying McCrea's bid to be released, however, Mr Justice Huddleston said: "Given the history of this applicant and risk of further offences I'm not prepared to admit him to bail."
