Choirmaster who once performed in front of the Pope in Rome has been charged with a child sex offence.

Choirmaster Charged with Child Sex Offence

Nigel McClintock, a renowned organist and conductor who once performed for the Pope in Rome, has been charged with a child sex offence.

McClintock, the subject of a three-part BBC 1 NI documentary in 2010, appeared in Belfast Magistrates Court this week. He is accused of sexual communications with a child, allegedly committed in April of this year.

The 50-year-old musician, from Albert Road, Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, studied at the Royal College of Music. He was not required to appear in court but during a brief hearing, a police officer confirmed they could connect him to the charge.

The charge, according to court documents, states that McClintock "for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification, intentionally communicated with another person... and the communication was sexual or was intended to encourage (name removed) to make (whether to you or to another) a communication that was sexual, and (name removed) was under 16 and you did not reasonably believe that (name removed) was 16 or over contrary to section 22A of the Sexual Offences (NI) Order 2008".

McClintock has not yet entered a plea. The case has been adjourned until later this year.