A 30-year-old Strabane man has been refused bail after appearing in court charged with attempting to groom a child online.

Eryk Tarkowski of Cornhill Park faces charges of attempted sexual grooming, sexual communication, and sending a sexual image, relating to dates between July 2 and July 10.

A police officer told Dungannon Magistrates Court that a vigilante group reported detaining Tarkowski at the rear of an industrial estate, where he believed he was meeting a 14-year-old girl. The group handed over his phone and copies of all communications.

The officer said a decoy had presented as a 14-year-old and repeatedly stated her age. Tarkowski initiated contact and sent a number of highly sexual messages, including a pornographic video on July 9. He arranged to collect the girl in an area to avoid detection by a doorbell camera. A condom was found in his wallet upon arrest.

The court heard that Tarkowski asked for photographs of the child in her school uniform, sent images of his face and genitals, and encouraged her not to tell her mother. He answered no comment during police interview.

Police objected to bail, citing a risk of interference with justice over Apple devices that can be wiped remotely, a lack of suitable address, and a risk to anyone under 18. The defence said Tarkowski had provided device access codes and requested a reporting restriction on any bail address.

District Judge Steven Keown refused bail, describing the offending as extremely serious and the risk unmanageable. Tarkowski is due to appear by video-link on August 5.