Co Armagh man, accused of attempting to incite a child into sexual activity, is refused bail due to public disorder fears on his release to Portadown

The 41-year-old did not appear before Craigavon Magistrates Court on Wednesday, October 14, but had attended court via video link the previous Friday from Maghaberry Prison.

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Gerald John Brampton Wood of Garvaghy Park, Portadown is charged with attempting to incite a decoy (claiming to be a child under 16) to engage in sexual activity between May 22 and May 29, 2026.

He is also charged with the attempted sexual communication with a child (decoy) between May 21 and May 29, 2026.

On Friday, October 9, Brampton Wood’s barrister, Mr Conor Coulter, said his client had been granted bail but the address was “deemed unsuitable”. He added there were issues regarding his client’s safety.

Then a PSNI officer revealed the investigating officer in the case spoke to neighbourhood police regarding the proposed address. The advice was this “could create community tensions and present a risk of vigilante action given the nature of the charges and the strong public feelings in the area who generally have an intolerant attitude to those accused of sexual offences”.

He said: “This is an area densely populated with families, a number of schools and community groups in the vicinity.

"Furthermore, the incident involving the online enforcement group was livestreamed with the defendant’s face shown therefore posing a risk to his safety.

"If he is likely to continue frequenting the Corcrain area upon his release, police would have similar concerns as there’s been media attention around the arrest and associated anti-social behaviour,” said the officer.

Mr Coulter said the police view is “very much opinion-based with no evidence”.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan was not satisfied and called for a full police risk assessment and adjourned the case.

At court on Wednesday a PSNI officer pointed to four schools and community centres close to the defendant’s address. He spoke to a NI Housing Executive representative that metal barriers had been erected previously on the defendant’s home due to previous incidents.

The representative revealed locals contacted them expressing “concern and anger” that the defendant might return to that address.

The officer contacted other local representatives and there had been “a gathering” outside the defendant’s address previously and the feeling was that he may be “targeted” if released.

The representatives felt Brampton Wood’s release “would increase community tensions and would present a risk of vigilante action” due to “the strong public feeling” at his home and in the Corcrain area where he was videoed.

"They do not believe any address in the Portadown area would be suitable for his safety,” said the officer.

Mr Coulter said that his client was highly unlikely to face a potential trial until late 2027 and this is his only available address.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan said his focus is not on what the community representatives said. He said his concern was the address’ proximity to schools etc.

He referred to the defendant’s record which he said “raises certain issues” and refused bail.

"There is a risk of public disorder. More importantly, given his record, there is a potential for reoffending,” he said.

The case was adjourned until November 6.