MAN SENTENCED TO THREE MONTHS FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT
A man who was released from prison on December 19 and failed to inform police of his new address as required by a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) has been remanded at Derry Magistrates’ Court.Paul Farren, aged 35, from River Court Apartments, appeared before the court charged with violating the terms of his SOPO within the designated timeframe.
It was reported to the court that Farren refused to leave his cell to attend the hearing, resulting in the case being adjourned in his absence.
A police officer testified that Farren was unlikely to comply with any bail conditions, citing numerous breaches of suspended sentences as evidence.
The defence lawyer explained that her client faced several issues, including illiteracy, which prevented him from reading the notice he received upon release from jail.
She emphasized that Farren had no intention to deceive and that the police were aware of his current address.
Bail was denied, and Farren was remanded to appear again in court on January 8.
