A teenager has appeared in court in relation to multiple charges of blackmailing female children into providing indecent images and inciting sexual activity
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 told Omagh Magistrates’ Court the charges could be connected and that the offences were “cyber-enabled.”
McElhatton spoke only to confirm his identity and that he understood the charges against him.
No further details were disclosed surrounding the circumstances of the allegations were disclosed during the brief hearing.
District Judge Conor Heaney remanded McElhatton 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 will return to court on May 26.
