Woman accused of child sex charges refused bail

Woman accused of child sex charges refused bail

27 June 2018

A NEWCASTLE woman accused of child sex offences has been refused bail.

Heather Talbot (58), of Kinghill Avenue, along with her husband Gary Talbot (59), is accused of abusing children at their home around 15 years ago.

Heather Talbot faces a total of eight charges. She is accused of aiding and abetting rape, aiding and abetting an act of gross indecency, committing an act of gross indecency with a child, inciting a child to commit an act of gross indecency, indecently assaulting a female, and taking, possessing and distributing indecent images of a child.

Talbot is currently remanded in custody at Hydebank Women’s Prison, where she appeared by video link at Downpatrick Court on Thursday.

Her solicitor told the court that Talbot had been helping police in their inquiries by identifying people in family photos. He added: “This lady has no record whatsoever.”

The solicitor said his application would be dependant on finding a suitable address for his client and making applications to hostels. However, he admitted, this could be an “uphill struggle” due to the charges she faces.

Opposing bail, a prosecutor said police were in the process of carrying out checks on two potential witnesses. “We still have two potential victims,” he said.

District Judge Amanda Brady said she was not persuaded there had been any change of circumstances that would allow her to grant bail.

Refusing bail, she adjourned the case to Downpatrick Court via video link on July 19.