ENNAKILLEN SEX OFFENDER BERNARD HASSARD FLEEING AFTER CONFRONTATION WITH GIRL'S MOTHER

In a disturbing case that unfolded in Enniskillen, a man named Bernard Hassard, aged 46, who was previously employed as a shop assistant on Irvinestown Road, became the subject of a serious criminal investigation involving grooming and attempted sexual contact with underage girls. The incident came to light after Hassard arranged to meet a 15-year-old girl at a designated location in Enniskillen, only to flee the scene abruptly when the girl’s mother arrived and confronted him.

The court proceedings revealed that Hassard had been actively communicating with the girl through mobile phone messages, sending her several texts between October 15 and October 26, 2010. The messages indicated an intent to engage in sexual activity, which alarmed the authorities once uncovered. When police apprehended Hassard, they discovered he was in possession of an astonishing 48 mobile phones, suggesting a pattern of clandestine communication and attempts to evade detection.

Hassard pleaded guilty earlier this week to charges of sexually grooming two girls with the intent to commit sexual offences. The court heard that he had also contacted a 13-year-old girl, claiming to be 15 and professing his love for her. He had invited her on a “blind date,” further demonstrating his manipulative behavior. The 13-year-old girl was persuaded to meet him, but upon arriving at the prearranged location, she saw an older man and quickly ran away, alerting police to the incident.

During the investigation, authorities confirmed that the phone used to contact the 13-year-old girl was registered to Hassard. The prosecution detailed that Hassard had told the 15-year-old girl he was from St Joseph’s College in Enniskillen, and he had asked her to meet him at the Fire Station in Enniskillen. Her mother, upon receiving the message, drove her to the station and confronted Hassard, who then fled the scene in a panic.

In court, Judge Melody McReynolds imposed strict conditions on Hassard’s future conduct. He was banned from having any contact with the two girls involved or engaging in unsupervised contact with any child. Additionally, Hassard was prohibited from loitering within 50 metres of any location primarily frequented by children. The court also restricted him to possessing no more than one mobile phone and mandated that he sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for a period of ten years. Hassard was sentenced to 12 months in prison; however, considering the time he has already spent on remand, it is anticipated that he could be released within days, after which he will serve a further 12 months on licence.