A court reporter has hit out at an alleged paedophile’s lawyers after they attempted to “intimidate” her for accurately reporting his case.

Tanya Fowles has criticised legal representatives of Jonny Boyle, who took issue with her coverage of a hearing at Enniskillen Magistrates Court.

Tanya, a freelance who covers courts across Northern Ireland, reported that Boyle, 40, is accused of making and possessing an indecent image of a child.

But the coverage caused what Tanya called an indication of “displeasure” from the defence, prompting her to put magistrates on notice of a potential issue around reporting.

Enniskillen Magistrates Court

In response to the notice, Boyle’s defence team said: “We take the view that the publication of this article without any evidential basis is grotesque and is a court matter which this office has been instructed to take proceedings on.”

The correspondence has now been shared by Tanya with the Lady Chief Justice and the Law Society of Northern Ireland, although nothing further has been heard from the lawyers.

Speaking to HTFP, Tanya said: “This was a definite attempt to intimidate press from further legitimate coverage, clearly appearing to bully with the threat of legal action.

“Challenged on their stance, they drew back without any hint of accepting error or offering an apology for the disgraceful communication, in particular their use of the word ‘grotesque’.

“The case was treated in exactly the same manner as all others coming before the court – no more, no less.

“There is obviously a poor grasp of open justice principles if lawyers – officers of the court – are making such assertions which press view as nothing short of intimidation. When challenged, they simply stonewalled, hoping the matter will just evaporate. Except it won’t.

“While defendants may feel they should not be named in court, or the charges against them not published, it is the responsibility of defence lawyers to advise them on all aspects of the court process, including open justice.

“It is not for lawyers to attempt to appease their clients by sending spurious correspondence to press in an effort to shut down coverage. Officers of the court must be accountable for their actions and if the regulatory body won’t enforce this, it falls to the judiciary.”