Man accused of meeting a child following sexual grooming is sent to Craigavon Crown Court for trial under new procedure
A 46-year-old man, accused of meeting a child following sexual grooming, has been sent directly to the Crown Court for trial without a Preliminary Enquiry.
Ross Paul Rodwell, aged 46, from Bishops Stortford in England, appeared via video link from Maghaberry Prison.
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He is facing three charges including meeting a child following sexual grooming on October 19 last year having previously communicated with the child on more than one occasion and travelled to meet that child.
He is also accused of sexual communication with a child and possessing an indecent photograph or pseudo photograph of a child on dates between March 1 and October 19 last year.
In dealing with the ‘Direct Transfer’ from the Magistrates Court to the Crown Court, District Judge Michael Ranaghan described it as a “new one on me”.
"My reading of the legislation is that there is nothing for the Magistrates Court to do once this procedure has been put in place and the relevant details been checked (which I have).
"Effectively this means that a child witness, under 16, any case involving them is transferred directly to the Crown Court with no delay whatsoever,” said the district judge with no issues raised by the defence.
"According to the legislation and rules / guidance, no Preliminary Enquiry takes place,” he explained.
Arraignment was organised for September 3 this year.
“Now you heard that Mr Rodwell. This is a new procedure to speed things up for witnesses and for you,” said District Judge Ranaghan, adding the only residual powers he retains relate to legal aid.
"It’s a difficult enough case,” he added granting legal aid.
A previous court in April heard Rodwell is accused of meeting a 14-year-old girl following sexual grooming and allegedly told her he 'cannot stop messaging her until he finds the strength to stop or is convicted'.
A PSNI officer told that court Rodwell was bailed to live in England at his parent’s address but breached it by contacting the complainant.
"On the instructions of his own solicitor, he travelled to Belfast to be arrested for the breach. On his way he made contact with the complainant via the internet.
"He was making plans to circumvent the bail conditions and contact the complainant via other websites and apps.” Rodwell has been in custody since.