A teenager accused of multiple charges of blackmailing female children into providing indecent images and inciting sexual activity has appeared back in court for breaching bail conditions just one week after being charged.
Leigh Sean McElhatton (18) from Killybrack Close, Omagh faces 14 charges in total comprising four counts of blackmailing six female children into providing indecent images between December 31, 2023 and April 30, 2025.
There are eight counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child and two counts of sexual assault with a child on dates between March 1 and April 30, 2025.
Across all charges there are three alleged victims, with one child featuring predominantly in the sexual abuse.
A number of additional charges are not proceeding at this time.
A detective constable previously confirmed the charges could be connected and that the offences were “cyber-enabled.”
No further details were disclosed surrounding the circumstances of the allegations were disclosed during the brief hearing.
McElhatton was remanded on £500 bail with conditions of residing at an address known to police at all times and have no contact by any means with the alleged victims.
He is permitted to have one mobile phone with internet access but he must allow this to be checked at any time by police or Social Services.
The case was due back on April 18, however he appeared before a special court sitting today (Tuesday) after being arrested for breaking bail.
A detective sergeant from the PSNI Public Protection Branch told Dungannon Magistrates’ Court that McElhatton was requested to leave his home due to concerns for his safety at the weekend and hostel accommodation in Belfast was found.
However, he didn’t attend until after 5pm yesterday (April 6) and was unable to be accommodated.
It was then agreed he would spend the night in a hotel but was arrested there.
While bail was not opposed the detective sergeant said any address had to be approved by police.
A defence solicitor said he has been engaging with services who are trying to assist McElhatton after “a mob arrived at his address and threatened him. The breach is through no fault of his own. He hasn’t been able to secure an address in the meantime.”
He applied for McElhatton to be released on bail to present with the Housing Executive who will register him as homeless.
District Judge Oonagh Mullan queried how there could be release without an address as “he’s just going to be wandering about”.
The defence replied: “It’s a Catch-22 situation. If he’s not released on bail, he can’t present as homeless. If he’s released to immediately present himself to the Housing Executive, who then have a duty to house him. This is not a situation of his own making. He is a vulnerable young man.”
The detective sergeant added: “Police would also be concerned any new address does not allow the defendant access to children.”
It was agreed this would fall under the remit of the address being approved in advance by police and Social Services.
Judge Mullan agreed to release McElhatton on condition he presents to the Housing Executive and abide by all other conditions imposed.
The case will be mentioned again at Omagh Magistrates’ Court in May 5.
