Probation order for man who sent undercover officer posing as teen naked picture

A 59-year-old man, who tried to sexually groom a child into meeting him during an undercover police operation, has been handed a three-year probation order.

Nicholas Finton O'Brien, of Oakham Street, off the Falls Road in west Belfast, had previously pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming through apps Grindr and Snapchat.

O'Brien, who is originally from County Waterford, also admitted a charge of attempted communication with a child.

The offences happened between November 2024 and December 2024.

Belfast Crown Court heard that a serving law enforcement officer under the name 'Mandy' posed on apps Grindr and Snapchat, described as an "authorised operation''.

She purported to be a 14-year-old boy named "Reece" from Northern Ireland.

The operation was to identify those committing offences of child sexual abuse and child exploitation.

The court heard O'Brien first asked the teenager if he was "ok with older guys''.

O'Brien sent Reece a message asking for a picture of him and Reece sent a picture of him in a school uniform.

O'Brien did not send any pictures at that stage, telling Reece: "Because you are too young.''

Later in November, O'Brien engaged in "sexualised conversation with Reece'', discussing sexual acts and sexual fantasies.

Reece reminded O'Brien that he was only 14 and the defendant sent him five images, including a picture of his genitals. The teenager sent O'Brien a selfie of himself wearing a white shirt.

On 26 November, O'Brien further engaged in sexualised conversation with 'Reece' and asked him for a picture of his genitals.

The defendant then sent Reece a further three sexualised images.

Over the following two days he discussed with the teenager about sexual fantasies and suggested arrangements for a meeting with Reece reminding him again that he was only aged 14.

In December, a meeting was arranged at a Belfast shopping centre the next day.

O'Brien was arrested as he sat in his car outside a fast food outlet.

He admitted offending during a police interview and said he was "ashamed'' of what he had done.

He accepted he sent photographs and acknowledged the sexualised conversations he had with Reece which he described as "banter'' and that he was driven by "curiosity''.

O'Brien told a probation officer that he had sexual communications and he had arranged to meet with what he thought was a 14-year-old boy.

He said that over the years he had come to question his sexuality. He had online conversations with men, and met men for sexual encounters.

O'Brien described his behaviour as "disgusting'', but said he did not have sexual interest in children, saying he wanted to meet the teenager out of curiosity and that he had no specific intention when he met him.

His defence said that following the father-of-one's arrest, he has undergone counselling, which is "ongoing,'' adding that O'Brien and his wife remained married.

He said the defendant took no issue with the terms of the Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).

"We are already 18 months post offence and there has been no further offending.

"He has honoured all bail conditions, he is a first-time offender and cooperated fully with police.''

The Probation Board said O'Brien, who has a clear criminal record, did not pose a danger to the public and he was assessed as a low likelihood of reoffending.

Imposing the three-year probation order, the judge said he would be put on the sex offenders register for five years and will be the subject of a SOPO for an identical period.