A judge has rejected an alleged rapist’s bid to ban press coverage on the grounds that factual reporting of his case would prevent him from getting a fair trial.

A lawyer representing Paul Conrad Wilson tried to stop Armagh I from covering his case, describing its decision to publish purely factual details as “adverse reporting”.

Wilson’s counsel further claimed a fair trial could be prejudiced because “press have taken an interest” during a hearing at Banbridge Magistrates Court, sitting in Newry, pictured.

Wilson, 51, is charged with raping, falsely imprisoning and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to a woman between 1 and 3 February 2021.

The accused, whose case is due for mention on 9 June, claims to be a Freeman of the Land and does not recognise the legal system.

The application for a ban on press coverage came when defence lawyers requested the removal of three aspects of Wilson’s bail, including removal of a ban on entering Belfast for consultations at his solicitor’s office.

Wilson’s counsel told the court: “I understand there has been some adverse reporting in this case.

“Press have taken an interest and there is a risk of potentially prejudicing a fair trial.”

District Judge Eamon King “wasted no time in replying”, according to freelance court reporter Tanya Fowles, who covered the hearing for Armagh I.

Judge King told Wilson: “Your application is declined given the history of what has gone on in this case over the last 15 months.”

The incident is reminiscent of another case covered recently by Tanya, in which a barrister representing a convicted paedophile blamed the press for ruining his client’s business after a failed bid to keep his identity secret.

Tanya told HTFP: “Adverse suggests negative, but it’s purely case and progression detail.

“No opinions or slants, just the same commentary as any other defendant appearing in court.”

Judge King agreed to vary the ban on entering Belfast, but only for attendance with solicitors who must give police 24 hours notice of appointments.

He refused the other requests.