A judge has backed a reporter after a defence lawyer claimed in court it would be “foolhardy in the extreme” for a journalist to print an alleged child sex offender’s address.

District Judge Peter McGill sided with freelance court reporter Tanya Fowles after an attempt to keep the public from knowing where Asen Demirev lives.

Demirev, 53, appeared before Ballymena Magistrates Court after being alleged to have intentionally incited a female child to engage in sexual activity.

But Emma McCann, defending, urged Judge McGill to impost a Reporting Restriction Order preventing Tanya from revealing the defendant’s address on the grounds that there were potential tensions in the community.

She told the court: “As a result of what happened there was almost a public disorder incident.

“There are high community tensions and police have had to deploy a dedicated crew to the area to try to avoid any further incidents. We would have concerns if the defendant returned to that address.”

In response, Tanya pointed out such an order at this stage is redundant given the address is already known as demonstrated by the alleged community backlash – a claim confirmed by a detective present in court.

The defence solicitor acknowledged this, but added: “It would be foolhardy in the extreme for any journalist to print this address as that could undoubtedly result in further crime or risk.”

Rejecting the application, Judge McGill ruled: “If this man’s address was not known I would grant a limited order in respect only of his address.

“But it is pointless in this case. It would be to close the stable door after the horse has bolted and is running free.”