An anonymity order imposed on a man facing child sexual offences has been removed following a press challenge.

Christopher Totten, from County Derry/Londonderry, is accused of three offences including attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming, attempted sexual communication with a child and intentionally encouraging/assisting to commit an offence related to an indecent photograph.

The offences are alleged to have occurred on dates between 4 and 8 and April 2023.

It is 45-year-old understood Totten was arrested after he was allegedly caught in a online paedophile-hunter sting last year.

Magherafelt Magistrates Court

The case first came to court in December where a police officer said he believed the charges could be connected.

However at that point and without any prior notice, the defence requested Totten be granted anonymity as it was contended he had received a number of online threats, although no evidence of this was provided.

District Judge Oonagh Mullan agreed to an interim order and adjourned the case to allow for evidential proofs to be obtained.

However in a subsequent appearance at Magherafelt Magistrates Court last week, local democracy reporter Tanya Fowles challenged the order, pointing out that Totten’s name was on the public court lists for two weeks in advance of his first appearance and the ‘sting’ had been live-streamed and was widely available online.

Tanya argued that while there can be a generic threat to suspected offenders, particularly in relation to child sexual abuse, this did not automatically amount to the requirement for and absolute ban on identity.

She argued any such threat would require to be specific and verified in court by the PSNI.

The defence conceded they could not provide any specific evidence of threat but urged caution around the publication of Totten’s address due to previous issues of homes being attacked in such circumstances, to which Tanya agreed.

Judge Mullan rescinded the ban and remanded Totten on continuing bail to return to court on 12 March.