A WELL-KNOWN Derry publican was yesterday placed on the sex offenders' register after he pleaded guilty at the city's Crown Court to a total of 33 charges of distributing, possessing and making indecent images of children.
Terence John Doherty (51), Sevenoaks, Waterside, admitted committing the offences between January 2001 and August 2005.
Originally, Doherty had denied the offences and a jury was due to have been sworn in yesterday to hear evidence in the trial which was to have started tomorrow.
However, he asked to be re-arraigned before Judge Desmond Marrinan QC and pleaded guilty to the 16 charges of making the images and to the 14 charges of possessing the images.
In relation to the three charges of distributing the indecent images Doherty said: "I have been advised to plead guilty".
When asked by Judge Marrinan to "re-consider" that reply, Doherty answered "guilty".
The court was told that Doherty's only previous convictions related to licensing matters.
He is to be sentenced for these offences on January 22nd.
Judge Marrinan told Doherty he was releasing him on continuing bail pending the preparation of a pre-sentence report. "You have pleaded guilty to a number of serious offences. I have no idea at the moment what the sentence will be.
"It could well be a custodial sentence given the nature of the charges and I make no presumption whatsoever. In view of the nature of the charges you have pleaded guilty to, you are now obliged to sign the sex offenders' register which you must do before leaving the precincts of the court.
"The length of time your name will be on the register will be determined at the time of your sentencing.
"In the meantime a probation officer will be in touch with you to discuss with you your reasons for offending, your remorse, if any, and your hopes for the future.
"This is for the purpose of the pre-sentence report which will also consider the risk of you re-offending," he said.