Latest: UK court hears details of lewd messages RTÉ producer allegedly sent to '13-year-old girl'

Latest: A television sports producer allegedly sent messages of a sexual nature to someone he thought was a 13-year-old girl, a court has heard.

Latest: UK court hears details of lewd messages RTÉ producer  allegedly sent to '13-year-old girl'

Update 4.12pm: A television sports producer allegedly sent messages of a sexual nature to someone he thought was a 13-year-old girl, a court has heard.

Kieran Creaven (aged 55) is accused of attempting to meet a child following grooming for a sexual purpose and of attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity, namely kissing and cuddling.

Creaven, who works for RTÉ, allegedly flew from Ireland to Leeds to meet up at The Queens Hotel with the "girl", who was, in fact, a fake online identity created by a group of so-called paedophile hunters.

The offences were said to have taken place from July 1 - when the defendant allegedly first contacted the "girl" online - to November 18 when he arrived at the hotel in the city.

Today, prosecutor Jill Seddon told Leeds Magistrates Court that Creaven said in one message he "felt horny" and that he also sent a photograph of an erect penis.

No indication to pleas was given as Creaven, of Dublin, was bailed to next appear at Leeds Crown Court on December 12.

His bail conditions are that he resides at an address in Ireland given to the court, has no unsupervised contact with any child aged under 16 and, if requested by police, supplies any device that is internet-enabled.

Appearing in the dock, married Creaven spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

The chairman of the bench, Rosemary Heslop, ruled that the address of the defendant should not be published for the safety of the defendant, following an application from Creaven's solicitor, Mr Pritchard, who refused to give his full name to reporters.

The Crown had partly opposed bail on the grounds that Creaven should be remanded in custody for his own protection.

Update - 11.42am: A RTÉ television sports producer has appeared in court accused of grooming a child for sexual activity in the UK.

Kieran Creaven is said to have flown from Dublin to Leeds to meet up at The Queens Hotel with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, but in fact was a fake online identity created by so-called paedophile hunters.

Married Creaven, 55, appeared at Leeds Magistrates' Court today where he was charged with attempting to meet a child following grooming and attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity, namely kissing and cuddling.

The court heard the offences were said to have taken place from July 1 - when the defendant first contacted the "girl" - to November 18 when he arrived at the hotel.

No indication to pleas was given as Creaven, of Dublin, was bailed to appear at Leeds Crown Court on December 12.

His bail conditions are that he resides at an address in Ireland given to the court, has no unsupervised contact with any child aged under 16 and, if requested by police, to supply any device that is internet-enabled.

Earlier: RTÉ employee due in court in UK accused of attempting to engage in sexual activity with girl, 13

An Irish man will appear in court in the UK this morning charged with attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child.

The man, who is an employee of RTÉ, is due before Leeds Magistrates Court later today.

His arrest was filmed by a vigilante group, who claim they lured him to Britain after creating a fake Facebook profile of a 13-year-old girl.

The group called 'Predator Exposure' featured on an RTÉ programme in October.

Police in Leeds have confirmed they were called on Saturday to deal with reports of a man attempting to engage or incite sexual activity with a child in Leeds.

RTÉ issued a statement this evening, which read: "RTÉ has been made aware of this matter, which is being dealt with by the Yorkshire Police Force in the United Kingdom."

RTÉ said that it will not be commenting further.

Kieran Creaven's Twitter bio photo.
Kieran Creaven's Twitter bio photo.

more courts articles

Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman
Coronation Street actor William Roache (91) given three months to settle tax debt Coronation Street actor William Roache (91) given three months to settle tax debt

More in this section

Government to introduce State contributory pension for carers Government to introduce State contributory pension for carers
Drug death in Cork Prison could be linked to nitazene opiate Drug death in Cork Prison could be linked to nitazene opiate
Four people hospitalised following suspected arson at West Dublin home  Four people hospitalised following suspected arson at West Dublin home 
War_map
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited