Nigel Harpur, the former director of a Co Tyrone community group, was apprehended while attempting to engage in sexual communication with a minor during a sting operation conducted by an internet paedophile-hunter group. He has been sentenced to imprisonment; but, due to the time served on remand, he will soon be released.
Nigel Andrew William Harpur (52) of Derg View, Castlederg, perpetrated the offence to achieve sexual enjoyment between January 1 and February 20, 2024.
He resigned from his role in the community group the day following his discovery.
On Friday, Dungannon Crown Court was informed that police acted upon a referral from the Children & Survivor Online Protection Team, which had identified a male allegedly engaging in sexual communications with a decoy posing as a 14-year-old.
Copies of messages were provided to police who found them to be of a sexual nature.
During interview Nigel Harpur was given an opportunity to disclose anything he wished police to know and said: “I’m putting my hands up. There’s no point in wasting your time. It’s on my phone anyway.”
Some of the messages to a proposed 14-year-old-child, included Nigel Harpur stating he was sexually aroused and asking if she knew what that meant.
In addition, Nigel Harpur asked for intimate images and sent her a clip from a pornographic film.
Addressing him directly Judge Richard Greene said: “You have an unhealthy and illegal interest in children. You were speaking to an adult who was able to withstand your comments, but nonetheless you thought you were communicating with a child. Had that communication been with a child it would have been very serious indeed.”
A sentence of 12 months was imposed which has already been served.
Nigel Harpur was placed under a Sexual Offences Prevention Order and will be subject to sexual offender registration, both for 10 years.
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