Michael Patrick Robinson had been messaging a decoy for Justice Reborn, initially through a dating app and also by WhatsApp.
Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena, also heard that Michael Patrick Robinson “made admissions” to engaging in the sexualised chats where he talked the ‘boy’ about touching his private parts and performing sex acts on men.
Appearing at court by video link from police custody, 53-year-old Robinson, from Ard na Smoll in to Co.Derry town, was charged with one count of attempted sexual communication with a decoy.
Michael Patrick Robinson
News in 90 Seconds – August 12th
The charge alleges that between 18 July and 10 August this year “for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification,” Robinson intentionally attempted to communicate with a person under 16 years, “the communication being sexual, or intended to encourage the said person to make a communication that was sexual, and you did not reasonably believe that she was 16 years or over.”
Giving evidence to the court, a police officer outlined how representatives from paedophile hunter group Justice Reborn contacted police on 10 August two report they were in the process of confronting Robinson at his home.
The group handed police a pen drive and documents evidencing that since 19 July, Robinson had been messaging a decoy for Justice Reborn, initially through a dating app and also by WhatsApp.
Michael Patrick Robinson when he was accosted by Justice Reborn and graffiti daubed on his home.
“These lions are sexually explicit in nature,” said the officer, adding the decoy, calling himself Jack Robinson, had told the defendant that he was 14-years-old.
The constable told the court there were 30 pages of print outs of messages where Robinson asked the decoy “did you touch your thingy today; give it a little rub.”
The court heard that Robinson “repeatedly instructs” the decoy about masturbation and how men perform sex acts on each other.
“The while thing was streamed live on Facebook” by Justice Reborn, said the officer, adding that when Robinson was arrested and interviewed, “he made full admissions.”
Turning to the issue of bail, the officer told the court there were concerns about the defendant and his safety because “he feels that his life is over and police have concerns that he is going to harm himself.”
He added that Robinson “has no suitable address” and confirmed to District Judge Nigel Broderick that if the 53-year-old could find an address outside Dungiven, “I would be happy with bail.”
Defence solicitor Ruairi Muldoon revealed that Robinson “has been issued with a TM1 form,” confirming there is an active threat to his safety.
Conceding that it was not appropriate to apply for Robinson to be bailed to his former home in Dungiven, the solicitor added that “unfortunately, there is no other address available.”
Judge Broderick said given the police attitude, he worked grant bail but stipulated that Robinson would not be freed until he could find a suitable address which police can approve.
Granting bail in the sum of £500, he added conditions that Robinson is barred from having any device which can access the internet, he is to have no contact with anyone under 18 and he has to report to police.
Remanded into custody but with bail fixed, Robinson will appear again on 3 September.