Man charged with sexual assaults on children at leisure centre

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 13:32 · Archive

A 43-year-old man is accused of sexually assaulting two six-year-old girls at a leisure centre in Armagh.

Mark Coney, 43, of Primates Cottages in Armagh, was arrested after police were alerted to an incident at Orchard Leisure Centre on 6 September. He is accused of sexually assaulting two six-year-old girls in the leisure centre's showers. The High Court heard that CCTV footage allegedly shows him entering and leaving the communal showers in the changing rooms a number of times. At one point one of the girls ran out to bang on the door in an attempt to contact a family member.

Coney faces two counts of sexual assault on a child, two breaches of his Sexual Offences Prevention Order and one count of indecent exposure. His application for bail was opposed by prosecutors, who argued that he poses a risk to the public and could commit further crimes.

During the hearing it emerged that an adult who lives in the same area has accused Coney of "similar offending" in connection with a separate incident on 30 September. His defence counsel accepted that this new complaint meant he could not return to his home. Ms Justice Doherty ruled that Coney must remain in custody because there is no suitable address for his release.

How it is being reported

• NI man carried out ‘opportunistic’ sexual assaults on two young girls in leisure centre showers, court toldBelfast Telegraph · 21 Oct, 13:39
• Court told of alleged sex assaults on two young girls in leisure centre showersA Co Armagh man allegedly carried out “opportunistic” sexual assaults on two young girls in a leisure centre’s showers, the High Court heard today.News Letter · 21 Oct, 13:10
• Man allegedly carried out “opportunistic” sexual assaults on two young girls at Co Armagh leisure centreMark Coney, 43, is accused of targeting the children, both aged six, during a chance encounter last month.Belfast Live · 21 Oct, 12:55

In this story: Mark Coney · Orchard Leisure Centre · Armagh · Co Armagh

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