Frenchman denies child love
'I'm not a sex pervert' accused tells court
Wednesday March 10 2010
A FRENCH man who had been sleeping in a tent in the Beaufort area has denied allegations that he is in love with a local eight-year-old girl.
Responding to the accusation made by Inspector Barry O'Rourke before Killarney District Court on Tuesday, 33year-old Hubert Noditza replied that he was not a sex pervert, he was normal.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to charges of assaulting the girl's father, Earl Allgrove, causing harm and to trespassing on Mr Allgrove's property at Carnahone, Beaufort on January 1 last. Mr Noditza, who had previously been a family friend and had resided with the Allgrove family for two months, is alleged to have struck Earl Allgrove a number of times.
The defendant had been remanded in custody following an appearance at Friday's sitting of Kenmare District Court on charges of breach of a barring order that was issued on January 5. The barring order prevented the defendant from going within four miles of the Allgrove household but Garda Enda Ward said the defendant had been seen in the area on at least three occasions and had a tent in woods approximately 300 yards from the house.
The State had objected to bail on the grounds that there were "very high fears" that the defendant was a danger to the child and was likely to reoffend.
At Friday's court, defending solicitor Padraig O'Connell said the defendant had a totally different perspective of hospitality, had previously been invited into the Allgrove's home and had a good relationship which, for some reason, had turned around.
"As far as he is concerned he did nothing wrong," the solicitor continued, adding that his client had no previous convictions.
Appearing in custody at Killarney court on Tuesday, the defendant admitted to a breach by calling at the Beaufort home of Des O'Connell at 10.45pm on February 14 but claimed it had been emergency and had nothing to do with the family. He denied being in the vicinity of the Allgrove residence on February 13 and on February 25.
Referring to the alleged breach on February 13, Inspector Barry O'Rourke said the defendant had been confronted by Earl Allgrove at the back of his home at 2.20am where it is alleged the defendant assaulted the homeowner and shouted that he was in love with his eightyear-old daughter.
"I love her as the bible says," the defendant retorted, adding, "I do not want to have sex with her".
When asked why it was necessary to name the eight-yearold-child and none of the homeowner's three other children, the defendant replied that he was not a danger as he had been alone with the girl on many occasions when he stayed at the house.
"I knew they were paranoid when I was there; they said they didn't want me to stay after a few weeks," he continued.
Accused by Inspector O'Rourke of having sexual preferences for young girls, the defendant replied, "I'm not a sex pervert, I'm not even gay. I'm normal".
The defendant was further remanded in custody until Friday when the case is due to be heard before Killarney District Court.
During the hearing the defendant also made a number of allegations at which point Judge James O'Connor applied strict reporting restrictions to protect the parties mentioned.
