By Paul Higgins
A former bar manager and alleged pervert was refused bail today (wed) after a judge heard that he has fantasies of raping and murdering a child.
District Judge Anne Marshall said while there had clearly been delays in progressing the case against 33-year-old Robert John Parke, “these are serious offences and I’m concerned about reoffending.”
Refusing to free Parke, the Belfast Magistrates Court judge adjourned the case to 20 August “to make sure” that the file has been submitted to the PPS.
Parke, a former bar manager from Ardcarn Drive in east Belfast, has been in custody since he was first charged with five sex offences in January this year.
On an indictment covering a time span between 11 May 2023 and 19 February 2024, the 33-year-old faces allegations of possessing prohibited images of children, possessing and distributing indecent images of children, having extreme pornography and that he “incited another to take an indecent image of a child.”
The court has heard previously, and a police officer repeated today (Wed), that “even seasoned detectives” were shocked at the material and chat logs they uncovered on devices seized from Parke.
In addition to 1,100 indecent images, including material which depict acts of rape, the court heard how Parke was involved in online discussions where he and others talk about “their desire to kidnap, decapitate and rape a child.”
Detectives also uncovered further chats about “grabbing, drugging and raping a child” and Parke allegedly asked an individual to record himself abusing his younger brother and daughter.
Given those alleged requests, police are concerned that Parke “is inciting others to create first generation material.”
The court heard that during searches of Parke’s home, police seized “at least a dozen empty boxes that had contained smart phones.”
Outlining how police were concerned that no bail conditions could address the risk, the officer emphasised that Parke’s home is in the middle of a densely populated residential area, surrounded by family homes and schools.
Applying for bail, Parke’s defence lawyer said the 33-year-old has been in custody since January so has served the equivalent of a 14-month jail sentence.
He conceded that although the case would clearly be sent to the Crown Court, the file has not yet been submitted so “by the time he reaches the Crown Court, he may well be time served.”
Parke, the lawyer highlighted, was refused High Court bail two months ago on the basis that police had assured the court the full file would be submitted to the PPS in July.
“The file is not completed and has not been received by the PPS,” the lawyer said, arguing that with stringent conditions Parke could be freed.
Judge Marshall said while there has been delay in the case, “I have been told that the file is imminent” and is to be lodged soon.
Refusing bail, she adjourned the case to 20 August for an update and to make sure the file is with the prosecution.
ENDS
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