Holidaymaker charged with ‘grooming’ a teenager

Thursday 02 August 2018

A 56-year-old Scottish man holidaying in the island this week has appeared in the Magistrate’s Court charged with grooming.

It’s alleged Robert Connell, of Rome Road, New Romney, Kent, attempted to meet a child following sexual grooming between 30 July 2018 and 31 July this year.

Defended by Advocate James Bell, in a hastily arranged court sitting yesterday afternoon in front of Assistant Magistrate Peter Harris, Mr Connell was granted bail and allowed to return to the UK.

Under his bail conditions, he had to put up £10,000.

He was also ordered not to change address, report daily to Canterbury Police Station, and surrender his passport. He was allowed to keep his driving licence so he could fly back to the UK.

He has been ordered to appear back in court on Wednesday 15 August.