Richard McFarland

Richard McFarland, a 57-year-old Category 2 registered sex offender from Stable Court in Antrim town, Northern Ireland, appeared at Antrim Magistrates' Court, sitting in Ballymena, on Tuesday, 2 December 2025. He pleaded guilty to two breaches of his Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), marking the 34th and 35th such violations in his history. The breaches occurred on 30 September 2025, when McFarland was found to have possessed a Smartwatch without notifying his designated risk manager and had deleted his internet history, actions prohibited under the terms of his SOPO.

The court heard from the prosecutor that police conducted an unannounced visit to McFarland's home as part of routine monitoring for registered sex offenders. During the inspection, an image of two females was discovered in the gallery of a device, saved from WhatsApp, raising suspicions that McFarland had engaged in a deleted conversation on the platform. Further examination revealed an online alias on Facebook, though a related charge for using an alias was withdrawn by prosecutors. McFarland, who was on remand in prison since early October 2025, appeared via video link.

District Judge Nigel Broderick expressed astonishment at the sheer number of prior breaches, noting that McFarland had already violated his SOPO 32 times previously. 'I am flabbergasted that prosecutors have not decided to send the latest case to the Crown Court,' the judge remarked, questioning, 'How many times does somebody have to breach a SOPO before the prosecution take him to the Crown Court? Does it have to be 50 times?' He criticised the decision to keep the case in the Magistrates' Court, where sentencing powers are limited to a maximum of six months per charge, compared to five years in the Crown Court. The judge highlighted evidence suggesting McFarland had been communicating with young females online and described the offences as serious.

In mitigation, McFarland's defence barrister explained that the defendant is a loner who turns to the internet for connection, compounded by alcoholism and drug issues, describing it as a 'perfect storm' for non-compliance. The barrister noted McFarland's lack of family support or social circle. Despite this, Judge Broderick imposed consecutive sentences of four months on each of the two charges, totalling eight months' custody. The case was reported by the Belfast Newsletter, with the hearing underscoring ongoing challenges in managing high-risk sex offenders through prevention orders.