A convicted paedophile and horse killer has appeared in court in relation to multiple charges of harassment and breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).
Mark McGurk, from Glenpark Road, Gortin, is charged with two sets of offences. The first alleges he pursued a course of harassment against three women and a man over various dates between September 18 and 26.
It is further alleged the 27-year-old breached the SOPO six times on dates between October 14, 2024, and September 19 this year.
Of these, there are three counts of staying overnight at an address without prior approval, two counts of having contact with a child, and a single count of failing to notify his Designated Risk Manager of a change of address.
McGurk, a horse dealer previously from Cookstown, was already on bail for a sickening animal cruelty attack when he sexually assaulted a child after a cocaine and alcohol binge at a birthday party in October 2019.
That matter was dealt with first at Dungannon Crown Court when McGurk, who was originally charged with rape, pleaded guilty to a lesser count of sexual activity with a child on the day his trial was to begin.
During an adjournment for pre-sentence reports, McGurk was controversially permitted a bail variation to accompany his girlfriend to her college formal in the Europa Hotel, Belfast.
On return, despite a reference from his parish priest contending McGurk had “great integrity and very high moral standards”, he was jailed for 15 months and placed under the SOPO.
In terms of stabbing the horse to death, which he filmed in a grotesque “act of revenge”, McGurk was jailed for seven months.
In relation to the latest matters, a detective constable told Dungannon Magistrates’ Court all charges could be connected.
He explained McGurk is banned from any contact with children, and a 15-year-old girl reported he had sent her a message on social media just under a year ago, asking her to contact her sister with whom he is in a relationship.
She also said that on another, more recent occasion, he had pulled up alongside her in a car and filmed her on his phone.
In addition, while McGurk was attending a Social Services meeting on September 11, it emerged he had moved from his approved address without prior approval.
When challenged on this, he became “obstructive, agitated and argumentative.”
He did subsequently notify police of his address change and, in the process, was reminded he must seek prior approval before staying overnight anywhere else.
Following his arrest on September 30 for the harassment allegations, CCTV footage was examined and showed his vehicle parked at a different address overnight on a number of occasions.
Footage is still being reviewed to establish if there were any further potential breaches, as “police believe there may be more.”
During interview, McGurk admitted contacting the child last year but denied any further interactions.
His partner’s family members have attended with police on a number of occasions, reporting multiple incidents of him blaring his car horn, flashing his lights, making hand gestures, and recording them on his phone.
Objecting to bail, the detective pointed to a risk of reoffending, stating McGurk “is unlikely to adhere to any conditions, evidenced by the fact he has previously failed to do so. He moved address without consent, which meant police could not assess the risks. Not only were there breaches of the SOPO, but also the Social Services safety plan in terms of McGurk’s child. He refuses to engage with Social Services by being open and transparent, which is causing real concern.”
The detective also referred to McGurk’s previous record, which includes “sexual activity with a child and stabbing a horse to death, demonstrating a propensity for violence.”
Under cross-examination by a defence lawyer, the detective confirmed that after McGurk was interviewed and charged, the custody sergeant was “minded to release him on bail”, but this was challenged and overruled by a superintendent.
The defence played down the new charges, branding them the outworking of “a family feud.”
He said McGurk is in a relationship with a woman – who was present in court – but her family don’t approve of him and “have made a plethora of complaints about him.”
He also added McGurk had moved address because he was not permitted to reside with his partner and, if he had not left, he would have been in breach of the Social Services safety plan.
It was accepted he did not alert police; however, he assumed they would know, as they were present at the safety plan meeting.
In terms of the social media contact, the defence said it was a simple message asking the complainant to contact her sister.
District Judge Francis Rafferty remarked: “The terms of the SOPO clearly state no contact with any child, and even knowing that, he still messaged her.”
The defence confirmed McGurk has accepted that but denies staying overnight at the unapproved address.
“The CCTV showed his vehicle was there but not him,” the defence contended.
He told the court McGurk’s partner had been put out of her house by her family, who made allegations and complaints to Social Services, resulting in his arrest.
“The matters of harassment, at their height, involve my client driving down a road blowing his horn or videoing them – both of which he denies,” said the defence.
Judge Rafferty decided to adjourn the bail application to allow Social Services to provide an updated safety plan and establish if there will be full engagement.
McGurk was remanded in custody to appear again by video link on October 8.
