Newtownstewart man facing trial over child sex allegations

A NEWTOWNSTEWART man is to face trial for allegedly having sexual communications with children.

Don Gailey, 47, of Castle View, has faced his preliminary enquiry, the last stage of proceedings before going to trial in the crown court.

At Strabane Magistrates Court, he was charged with attempted sexual communications with children and two counts of sexual communication with children. These charges pertain to dates between January 3 and January 30.

Gailey is further charged with one count of perverting the course of justice on February 8 where he is alleged to have presented a male to the Omagh Police Station in order to make a false statement on his behalf.

A representative of the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) told the court there was a case to answer.

Gailey said nothing to the charges and offered no evidence.

Deputy District Judge Austin Kennedy released Gailey on continuing bail, with conditions not to have any contact with children online and submit his phone for analysis when asked by police.

Gailey will return for arraignment to Dungannon Crown Court on May 27.