Bail overturned for Newcastle woman accused of aiding and abetting her husband's child sex offences

By Q Radio News

A woman accused of aiding and abetting her husband's child sex offences must remain in custody, a High Court judge ruled today.

Bail previously granted to Heather Talbot, 57, was overturned amid claims she took part in the abuse and fuelled her partner's fantasies.

Prosecutors also contended that online chat logs point to the Co Down couple having targeted other, still unidentified, young victims.

One discussion on the dark web referred to the ideal age being up to three because after that "they talk too much", a judge was told. 

Talbot, a cleaner from Kinghill Avenue in Newcastle, is charged with eight sexual offences including aiding and abetting rape, inciting and committing gross indecency with a child, and indecent assault on a female.

She is further accused of making, possessing and distributing indecent images of a child.

Her 58-year-old husband, Gary Talbot, faces similar offences and two counts of raping the girl.

The charges against them relate to a period between 2001 and 2003 when the child was said to be aged between two and four.

Police uncovered the alleged abuse after they searched the couple's house in October last year, seizing computers and mobile phones.

Crown lawyer Philip Henry revealed that up to 500,000 indecent images of children were found.

They included photographs allegedly depicting both defendants in sexual activity with the alleged victim at their home, the court heard. 

Based on the content of some alleged conversations, Mr Henry argued there had been other child victims.

Gary Talbot had been remanded in custody after the couple appeared together at Downpatrick Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

Bail was initially granted to his wife at that stage, prompting the prosecution to lodge a High Court appeal against the decision to release her.

Appearing by video-link from Hydebank women's prison, Heather Talbot sat with arms folded throughout the fresh hearing. 

Opposing her release due to the risk of re-offending, Mr Henry claimed she was just as active a participant as her husband.

Defence counsel Tom McCreanor insisted there is no evidence of Heather Talbot being responsible for any of the online chats.

Arguing that his client's husband has admitted activity against the young girl, he told the court any references to "we" does not establish she played a role.

"The potential involvement of this lady is to the extent that we know she had made certain admissions about some years ago buying clothes," Mr McCreanor said.

"Some of the chat from him (Gary Talbot) clearly implicates him in offending, but it's conversation.
"The talk of other victims is at this stage speculative."

But granting the prosecution appeal, Mrs Justice Keegan cited the potential risk of interference with the administration of justice in a case where other potential victims may emerge.

Ruling that Heather Talbot must be refused bail, the judge said: "I'm not convinced at the moment that a case is made out in relation to the minor role suggested by the defence."