Kevin Christy, a 40-year-old resident of Portadown, solicited a 14-year-old to join him unclothed in the shower (October 26, 2024).
A 40-year-old man from Portadown, Kevin Christy, who solicited a 14-year-old girl, whom he mistakenly believed to be his girlfriend, to “join him naked in the shower,” has been acquitted by the court.
Kevin Christy, residing on Park Road, received a three-year Probation Order at Craigavon Crown Court on Friday for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a minor.
The defendant, who had “deviant sexual interests,” was apprehended following a paedophile hunter sting operation earlier this year.
The court was informed that on Friday, April 12, law enforcement was sent to his residence on Park Road, where a gathering of approximately 100 to 120 individuals had assembled outside.
Law enforcement was notified that an organisation identifying as ‘Warriors of Children’ has evidence indicating that Kevin Christy had been participating in sexual discussions with an individual he believed to be a young female named Louise, who was, in reality, a fictitious profile on social media created by an adult female.
A collection of printed screenshots related to the dialogues between Kevin Christy and the fraudulent profile was submitted to the police, resulting in his arrest.
He made no reply and his mobile phone was seized.
In the chats, Louise explicitly presented herself as a 14-year-old girl, referencing both her school and her youth club.
Kevin Christy referred to her as “his girlfriend” and stated that “he loved her”.
He asked her to “join him naked in the shower” and told her “he was playing with himself” and was, in his words, “horny”.
He also requested photos of her and sent a photograph of himself which, Her Honour Judge McColgan, said she had seen.
As well as making clear her age, Louise presented herself as “naive on any sexual matter that was raised” but Kevin Christy “persisted in messaging”.
The chats took place over an 11-month period between May 2023 and April 2024.
At interview, Kevin Christy indicated that he had deleted his Facebook, WhatsApp and Snapchat accounts and claimed that he had a short memory, and that he had attended a special needs school.
The court heard that although he had no previous convictions, he was subject to restorative caution for giving alcohol to a child in May 2023.
Judge McColgan referenced the “large disparity in ages between the defendant and his victim, Louise”, and that there was a “persistence in that it occurred over a page period of 11 months”.
The judge also said that while there were no issues Kevin Christy’s mental health he had significant physical ailments.
She added: “It is clear that the defendant’s alcohol intake had significantly increased during the relevant period. He was socially isolated. He has no sexual experiences throughout his life….the defendant stated that he had heard voices in his head and he felt confused and he couldn’t recall.”
Kevin Christy persisted with the narrative that he believed the person he was speaking to was over 18 years of age.
“That is in spite of the fact that the person was clearly talking about school and youth club,” said the judge.
“He also expressed some concern or some feelings that he felt victimised in the case and then trapped by virtue of the fact that this is a decoy case.”
A Probation report identified the following as areas of concern, namely, “relationship capacity, general social rejection, poor problem solving skills, sexual preoccupation and deviant sexual interests”.
“He was socially isolated within the community and the internet gave him an opportunity to socialise,” the judge continued.
“He has little or no sexual experience and finds it difficult to engage in any such discussion. The defendant has found his remand period in prison, particularly tough, and has experienced bullying and isolation within the prison regime.”
Judge McColgan said a custodial sentence of 12 months would mean Kevin Christy would walk free from court, given his six and a half months on remand, but would leave him with just six months to spend with Probation.
Instead, she ordered the sentence to be one of three years on Probation as he “is a defendant who clearly needs the input and support of Probation services for a period in excess of six months”.
The judge also expressed concerns about his accommodation.
Kevin Christy’s defence barrister said he was expected to move back home with mum and it is “their intention for them to move elsewhere”.
Judge McColgan said it was “of some concern that there’s nowhere else for him to go right now”.
Christy was also made subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) for five years.
UPDATE 14.12.24
A Portadown paedophile, charged with violating a sexual crimes prevention order, is unable to provide a suitable bail address, according to court proceedings.
Kevin Christy, residing on Park Road, appeared by videolink from Maghaberry at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday, charged with violating the sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) by being present at a location without the consent of his Designated Risk Manager.
At the beginning of Friday’s brief session, the prosecution asked a one-week adjournment to obtain the complete file.
The court was informed that the 40-year-old, who recently received a three-year probation order for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a minor, was prohibited from residing at his Park Road address due to the proximity of a children’s play park, as mandated by the Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).
Christy’s defence attorney stated that his client is currently without a residence.
Deputy District Judge Trainor enquired whether Christy had identified a potential residence, to which Christy said, “I am uncertain at this time,” further noting that his mother was assisting him in establishing a bail location.
The defence informed the court that the Sexual Offender Prevention Order had been enacted contingent upon an authorised address. Christy was returned to his residence but was apprehended within days due to a technical violation.
He stated that “no additional offence” had been perpetrated.
Judge Trainor postponed the hearing for one week, instructing Christy to persist in facilitating the acquisition of a bail residence.
UPDATE 13.01.24
A paedophile from Portadown has received a five-month prison sentence for violating a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO).
Kevin Christy, of Park Road, will be released from court after serving time on remand, as he was unable to get a bail address during the current legal proceedings.
On Friday, Craigavon Magistrates’ Court was informed that police are apprehensive about the safety of the 41-year-old, owing to daily demonstrations outside his mother’s residence by vigilante groups.
Christy appeared in court by videolink from Maghaberry after pleading guilty to a charge of violating a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).
The prosecution outlined that Christy, a registered sex offender, was released from jail on October 25, 2024, after being convicted of attempted sexual communication with a minor.
Christy was issued a three-year probation term and a five-year Sexual Offences Prevention term (SOPO), mandating that he could not stay overnight at any location without the prior consent of his assigned risk management.
Following his release from incarceration, he took up residence at his mother’s property in Portadown, which lacked approval from the risk manager, and is situated in proximity to the People’s Park.
On October 30, law enforcement and probation officers visited the location and had been ineffectively coordinating with the Housing Executive to provide assistance.
Christy was apprehended on October 31 for violating the Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).
The prosecution stated that upon Christy’s release, protests by “vigilante groups masquerading as child protectors” occurred outside his residence, and “it cannot be discounted that he may face some form of assault if he remains at this location.”
Authorities expressed profound concern for Christy’s safety due to ongoing daily protests at the location and a vigorous social media initiative aimed at his eviction from the region.
Christy’s defence attorney, Conor Lunny, stated that Christy had resided at his mother’s residence for four nights; nevertheless, the risk manager informed him that this constituted a violation of the SOPO. Lunny also noted that Christy sought to communicate with the Housing Executive upon receiving a warning from the police.
He stated that throughout the case, Christy had secured bail but could not be freed owing to the inability to establish an appropriate residence, and that attempts were continue to obtain one.
He also disclosed that Christy had been assured an address, but the landlord withdrew upon recognising the nature of the offence.
Regarding Christy’s personal circumstances, Mr. Lunny stated that he possesses “very limited physical capability,” raising doubts about his capacity to walk from his residence to the People’s Park.
He stated that Christy had lived his life “rather isolated” and that “he has no genuine friends; his mother resides nearby, and that constitutes his existence…” He succumbed to the allure of these online chatrooms.
Mr. Lunny stated that the incident was “entirely regrettable” and that the guilty plea was submitted with reluctance because to the gravity of the infraction.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan stated that Christy had completed a term comparable to five months and was entitled to credit for his guilty plea.
He imposed a four-month prison sentence, indicating that Christy had completed his term; however, he stipulated that the restrictions of the SOPO would remain in effect until October 2029.
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