Former minister back before the court

Fifty-one-year-old William Alan Macaulay - a former chaplain to Magilligan Prison and youth sports coach - from Ballynacree Drive, Balnamore, County Antrim appeared before North Antrim Magistrates Court in Coleraine on Wednesday.

He faces two charges - the first that between April 23, 2010 and November 10, 2010 he made an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of children, and the second that between the same dates he had in his possession an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of children.

He has yet to enter pleas to the charges.

Macaulay’s case was adjourned until the end of this month. He did not speak during the short hearing.

Macaulay was heavily involved in coaching youth sports in the past.

He played a role in player development at Ballymoney Hockey Club but is understood to be no longer with the club.

A club spokesperson said: “We are not in a position to comment on these allegations as they are still the subject of legal proceedings.”

In a statement the Methodist Church in Ireland said: ‘Mr. Macauley (sic) has resigned as a minister of the Methodist Church in Ireland. He has not functioned as the Methodist Chaplain to Magilligan Prison since November 2010.

‘During the time of the investigation into the allegations against Mr. Macauley the Methodist Church, along with Mr. Macauley, has co-operated fully.

‘We would ask that Mr. Macauley and his family be given privacy during this difficult time and invite others to join with us in upholding them in our prayers.’

It is understood Macaulay’s work in the Methodist Church included the Londonderry, Inishowen, Limavady and Strabane Mission Circuit.

Bail conditions imposed on Macaulay by the court last month state:

* He must only reside at an address approved by investigating police and Social Services.

* He must not have any contact or association with any child or young person under the age of 18 years except in the presence of that child’s parents/guardians or other appropriate adult and with the approval of social services. This excludes unavoidable every day contact or association.

* He must not seek or undertake any employment or training, whether for payment or otherwise, which is likely at any time to allow him unsupervised contact with a child under the age of 18 years.

* He must not access any computer that does not have ‘covenant eyes’ software installed and allows police to examine activity records and usage as required.

* He must not take, send, receive or store any photographic image or video recording.

Macaulay is set to appear before North Antrim Magistrates Court in Coleraine again on September 28.