Teaching assistant accused of sexual activity with teenage girl refused bail

A teaching assistant accused of sexually abusing a teenage girl has been refused bail and remanded into custody.

Harvey McClean, 19, appeared at Ballymena Magistrates' Court by video link on Saturday and confirmed his identity and that he understood the four charges against him, which are alleged to have been committed between 23 December 2025 and 8 January 2026.

McClean, with an address at Parklands in Ballymoney, faces two counts of sexual activity with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity while he was in a position of trust and sexual communication with a child.

A detective constable said she believed she could connect McClean to each of the offences.

Giving evidence, she outlined how the alleged victim's school had contacted police to tell them she had reported sexual communication and "sexual interaction" with McClean.

The complainant outlined how she had performed a sex act on McClean and on foot of that report, he was arrested on Friday.

The court heard that during formal interviews, "he made admissions of having contact with the injured party on social media" and that they had met three times.

Objecting to bail, the detective constable emphasised that McClean "has made admissions to engaging in multiple sexual encounters with a child" so despite his clear record, police were concerned about further offending.

Defence counsel Thomas McKeever argued that despite the seriousness of the offences, McClean has a clear record so with the support and supervision of his parents, both of whom had attended court, he could be released on bail with a package of conditions.

Commenting that "this must be a difficult morning" for McClean's parents, District Judge Peter King added that "having heard the outline of the case, I cannot even begin to imagine how difficult it is for the parents of the child".

Judge King said the case needs to be fast-tracked given the age of the complainant, and that it will ultimately be dealt with by the Crown Court.

Refusing bail and remanding McClean into custody, the judge adjourned the case to 2 February.