A 57-year-old man has admitted breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) by having a social media app on his mobile phone, a court heard.

Adrian Robb, of Broadway Avenue in Ballymena, pleaded guilty at Ballymena Magistrates Court on Thursday to the breach, which occurred on July 2. The order, imposed in August 2021, prohibited him from using the Telegram app.

District Judge Nigel Broderick noted that Robb had violated the order before and had previously been given a community service sentence. The case was adjourned until September 10 for a pre-sentence report.

Robb was originally placed on the SOPO after pleading guilty to sexual communication with a child. Between October 2019 and April 2020, he sent sexual messages via Instagram to a girl who was under 16. Police began investigating after the girl’s mother reported receiving unwelcome sexual messages her daughter had received.

At the 2021 sentencing, the court was told that Robb described the teenager as attractive and made explicit references. Deputy District Judge Trevor Browne described the messages as disturbing and noted the offending took place over a sustained period.

The original court also heard that Robb’s personal life collapsed following the offence. He lost his home, his job, and his marriage ended. A defence barrister said Robb had been attending a church for support, and a probation report assessed him as a low risk of reoffending. Judge Browne added that professional help was needed to address his behaviour.

Robb will return to court next month for sentencing on the breach charge.