A case involving alleged attempted child sexual offences in which the accused believed he was engaging with two girls aged 12 and 13, who were in fact decoys, has been returned for trial
The accused, John Michael Timoney (48) from Innisfree Gardens, Douglas Bridge, Strabane appeared by video-link having been remanded in custody since his arrest.
In order of alleged occurrence, he is accused of intentionally attempting to communicate with a child in a sexual manner for his own gratification on August 3, 2024 and again on October 7, 2025.
It is further alleged he attempted to meet a child with the intention of committing a sexual offence following a period of grooming on October 11, 2025.
A prosecuting lawyer told Strabane Magistrates Court there is a case to answer which was agreed by District Judge Barney McElhome.
Timoney spoke only to confirm his identity and that he understood the charges against him.
He declined to call witnesses or give evidence on his own behalf at this stage in proceedings.
Judge McElhome remanded him in continuing custody to appear for arraignment at Dungannon Crown Court on November 5.
When the case first reached court a police officer explained a group called ‘Justice Reborn’ had detained Timoney close to a shopping centre car park in Strabane after he had been sexually texting two decoys.
In the course of this Timoney set out a plan to meet the girls and bring them to his house, the court heard.
He was to leave one downstairs watching Netflix while he went upstairs for sex with the other one.
She was later to change places and go downstairs while the other went upstairs and also have sex with him.
He was arrested and during interview confirmed no-one else was involved and while he knew the girls were underage, he thought they were about 15.
When officers asked why he suggested having a threesome with the girls, Timoney said he thought that was just three people sitting talking together.
However, he was shown a text to the decoys setting out that a threesome was three people having sex together and allegedly accepted knowing what he’d done.
