Posted video on social media alleging man was ‘paedophile’

A man who posted a video on social media alleging the individual in it was a paedophile and made reference to “getting him and burning him out”, appeared at Magherafelt Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
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Twenty-five-year-old Robbie Samuel Reece Oliver from The Orchard in Draperstown admitted using a public electronic network to communicate a message of a menacing character.

The alleged offence took place between May 15 and 18 2019.

Adjourning the case until August 18 for a pre-sentence report, Deputy District Judge Noel Dunlop described it as “an extremely serious matter”.

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He advised Oliver, who appeared in court, that it would be in his interests to seek a solicitor in the meantime.

Prosecuting counsel said, on May 17 police were made aware of a video on Facebook alleging that the injured party was a paedophile.

She said the injured party’s face was shown and his address and reference was made about getting him and burning him out.

The lawyer said the defendant was interviewed about the matter and told police that he would remove the video immediately.

Counsel added that police confirmed the video was removed.

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The defendant, who was not professionally represented, was asked by the judge if he wished to say anything but made no reply.

Deputy District Judge Dunlop warned Oliver to cooperate with Probation Service and reminded him the court was not necessarily bound by the report’s recommendation.

In a separate matter, Oliver was fined £300 and disqualified from driving for six months for having no insurance on December 11 last year.

He was also fined £100 for having no driving licence on the same date.

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The PPS lawyer said at 2pm police were tasked to a report of a two-vehicle road traffic collision at Moneyhaw Road, Moneymore.

She explained that it transpired from police enquiries the defendant did not hold a driving licence or vehicle insurance.

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