A 32-year-old man accused of sexually explicit Snapchat contact with a schoolboy believed he was "role playing" with a woman, the High Court heard today.
Andrew Williamson, of Old Bleach Green in Banbridge, Co Down , allegedly shared photos and messages with the 14-year-old on the social media app.
But his lawyers claimed he never knowingly sent anything to a child during exchanges last month.
Williamson was refused bail on charges of sexual communication with a child, inciting the boy to engage in sexual activity, and breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order. He denies the alleged offences.
Police received a report on May 17 that the youth had been receiving sexually sexually explicit photos and messages on Snapchat from an account linked to the accused, the court heard.
A prosecution lawyer alleged the contact continued despite the boy disclosing his age.
"Some of the messages were asking the 14-year-old to perform a sexual act and he would perform the same act," she said.
Details of the conversations and material allegedly sent were given to police .
Defence barrister Conor Byrne claimed, however, that the alleged victim refused to submit his phone for full examination.
He said Williamson only sent one photo directly during the chats - an image of a car belonging to him.
According to counsel material within his client's "private story" on Snapchat will be central to the case.
Williamson thought he was communicating with a 22-year-old woman named Sarah who requested access to photos he had stored there, it was claimed.
Mr Byrne contended: "A further discussion between them over a prolonged time advanced to what he described as a role playing game.
"This conversation became sexual, it caused him concern and he ended it."
The barrister added: "He never knowingly engaged with a 14-year-old... he was contacted by an individual posing as an adult female."
Denying bail, His Honour Judge Grant said he could not deal with concerns in the case by imposing geographical limits.
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