Using new powers for the first time Belfast Crown Court yesterday ordered that a Belfast man must tell police of his whereabouts for the rest of his life. Stephen Brady (29), from Fallswater Street, was given the warning moments after being jailed for five years for assaulting and sexually attacking a 28-yearold woman in February last year.
Under the Sex Offenders Act, which came into operation last week, Brady's details will now be held on a database of sex offenders by the RUC's Force Intelligence Bureau.
After jailing Brady, Judge Anthony Hart told him that within 14 days of his release from prison he must notify police of his whereabouts and of any subsequent change of address.
Brady's personal details will remain on file for the rest of his life because he was jailed for more than two-and-a-half years.
Details on offenders jailed for shorter periods, or given suspended jail terms, will remain on the RUC file for between five and 10 years.
Brady was caught by two brothers who had heard the "blood-curdling screams" of his victim, who had been attacked in an alleyway off Belfast's Lisburn Road, on February 27th last year.
Commending his victim for the courageous and determined way in which she had defended herself, and the brothers for coming to her aid, Judge Hart added he had no doubt that but for that action her ordeal would have been worse.
However, the judge said, he must sentence Brady only for the crimes of assault and indecent assault of which he was convicted. Had he been charged with assault with intent to rape his sentence would have been heavier.
From the woman's uncontradicted evidence, the judge said, it was clear she still suffers physical pain as a result of the attack and, although she was a resilient young woman, it would be some time before she would be able to "put this horrific experience behind her".