Sex Offender Wins Facebook Case

A convicted sex offender has won a court case to have a Northern Ireland paedophile watch group’s Facebook page removed.

'Keeping our kids safe from predators' currently has just under 5,000 'likes' on Facebook, but will now be removed within 72 hours after the plaintiff won his High Court Case.

Ruling, Mr Justice McCloskey said: "Society has dealt with the plaintiff in accordance with the rule of law.

"He has been punished by incarceration and he is subject to substantial daily restrictions on his lifestyle."

The man has served a six year jail sentence for child sex offences committed more than two decades ago, including indecent assault, gross indecency with a child and inciting a child to commit an act of gross indecency.

He is known only as XY.

The man discovered his photograph and threatening comments on the page and claimed harassment, misuse of private information and a breach of his right to privacy.

His lawyers expressed the man’s fears of being attacked as a result of the posting. It was seen as an attempt to vilify and stir up hatred against him.

Members of the group have been posting comments expressing their anger at the decision.

One person said: "Just seen the news. Disgusted. Protect the Perverts! The law is messed up!"

Another commented: "i hope u have all the pictures and infos backed up and a back up profile created. obviously the judge favours and has sympathy towards pedos and sex offenders and has none to the rights of the victims or the possible victims of the future (sic)."

One comment read: "Put him down like an animal."

The court heard how the plaintiff is suffering from ill health, including regular dialysis treatment.

Facebook had already removed a photo and comments made about the man, but his legal team insisted the page should be removed completely.

(IT/GK)