A 31-year-old man from Sion Mills is to be sentenced next month after pleading guilty to sexual offences involving a 14-year-old girl.

Matthew Leonard Kilpatrick, of Sycamore Avenue, appeared at Dungannon Crown Court this week. He admitted charges of sexual communication with a child, inciting a child to sexual activity, and possession of indecent images. Other offences were left on the books.

The offending was uncovered on 21 March 2024, when the girl’s mother heard notifications from a phone hidden in her daughter’s bedroom. The mother, who had not allowed the victim to have a phone, confiscated the device. Later that evening, further alerts from a social media app led her to find her daughter using a laptop connected to the phone. The mother discovered sexual messages between the girl and Kilpatrick and contacted police.

Officers seized the laptop and arrested Kilpatrick. An analysis of his device found 20 indecent photographs and four indecent videos of the child. Messages also included explicit images sent by Kilpatrick and references to meeting, although the two never met in person. The court heard Kilpatrick told the child he loved her and expressed a desire for sex.

Kilpatrick did not take part in a police interview. A pre-prepared statement was provided and a registered intermediary was arranged because of his learning difficulties. Defence barrister Joe McCann said Kilpatrick had a good work history until he was dismissed after the allegations became public. The family had to leave Sion Mills because of community tensions and have since relocated to County Donegal, where tensions remain high.

The defence asked for credit for the guilty pleas, which meant the victim did not have to give evidence.

Judge Brian Sherrard adjourned the case until 18 August for sentencing.