A judge has slammed comments made by the manager of the Clinton Centre in Enniskillen who appeared to “victim-blame” a child and portray her as the predator of a man charged with abducting her, who resides on bail at the centre.

A detective told Enniskillen Magistrates Court that Alioune Sow (19) has formed a relationship with the child, who lives in a care facility from which she regularly goes missing.

Due to concerns over child sexual exploitation, each time she returns staff check her phone, and following another incident overnight on October 21, images appeared to show she was with Sow.

He was served with a Child Abduction Warning Notice (CAWN) on September 24, and when arrested, denied being with the girl, then said she had come to him on five occasions.

The detective continued: “This is a vulnerable girl at high risk of child sexual exploitation. While missing for almost 24 hours, she was considered high risk of immediate harm.

"Phone evidence indicates she was with the defendant during this time.

"She has 12 missing episodes since September, and we are seriously concerned about harm to her.

"The defendant is the adult in this situation, and it’s up to him to cease all contact.”

He confirmed the child won’t cooperate with police and believes she’s in a relationship with Sow.

A defence barrister called the manager of the Clinton Centre to give evidence in support of Sow being released on bail, who explained he was briefly a police officer many years ago, but left this to pursue a career in youth work.

He took on the managerial role of the Clinton Centre in 2020, and during an arts festival last year Sow’s stepmother asked if he would offer a bail address.

“I was very happy to do this,” he said, before launching into criticism of some police carrying out bail checks.

The manager stressed the Clinton Centre “is private property", continuing: "It is not a public building. There’s no unauthorised access. On occasion, police have requested access codes to my property.

"As far as I’m aware, police don’t have free access to private property without lawful authority. They have demanded access to my property.

"As a former police officer, I do not expect them to be domineering, aggressive or bullying.

"It’s necessary that they conduct themselves within the law.”

Sow, described as the son of an international musician, was described by the manager as: “Very bright and intelligent. I thoroughly enjoy his company. We have good fun.

"He has been to my home with his father and stepmother for dinner, and we had a great time.”

In terms of the child, he said he has written to the Western Trust Chief Executive because: “Ali is not the issue. This girl is persistently pursuing him. The collective response has unfortunately not worked. She’s chasing him.”

However, Deputy District Judge Trevor Browne responded, saying: “This is extremely troubling. A thread has been formed that this is somehow the child’s fault, and she’s pursuing the defendant.

"She may have formed an attachment, but she’s a recognised vulnerable young female.

"I have considerable alarm around victim-blaming and claiming she’s the predator.

"She must be protected because of her vulnerability, which perhaps leads her into inappropriate attachments with inappropriate people.”

He continued: “The police task has been made more difficult by the Clinton Centre regime, and I’m not satisfied appropriate measures will be taken.

"I’m concerned the support there doesn’t extend as it should to protecting this young female.

"Those in a position to do so should be much more vigorous and robust, rather than victim-blaming.”

Bail was refused, and Sow will appear again by videolink on November 25.