Girl may face questions in child abuse probe

A man accused of molesting children may travel to Northern Ireland with his lawyer to question a girl who was his alleged victim, but only if authorities in the UK allow the visit.

Circuit Judge Ron Swanson, sitting in Milton, Florida, agreed to send defendant John Burt, his lawyer and a prosecutor overseas at state expense to gather testimony from the girl, now 16.

The girl was 15 when she was allegedly molested in June in Florida.

Burt is charged with four counts of lewd and lascivious molestation, each accusing him of improper touching, and one count of lewd and lascivious conduct for allegedly writing a note propositioning the girl.

The girl’s father, who lives in south Florida, sent her to Northern Ireland after Burt’s arrest. He has refused to let her return to testify at trial but has agreed she could be questioned in Belfast, said Assistant State Attorney Harmon Massey.

Swanson said he doubted the trip will go ahead, citing Burt’s prior arrests on charges that include drunken driving, trespassing and disorderly conduct. Burt, 65, spent 141 days in jail on a conviction for resisting arrest without violence after he pushed his way into an abortion clinic and broke equipment in 1986.

“I think at some point Ireland’s going to tell us Mr Burt’s not welcome there,” Swanson said.

The judge ordered the trip because defence lawyer Nicole Ferry objected to having the girl testify live by satellite television link during the trial. Ferry said she wanted to confront the teen in person.

The girl’s testimony would be read to the jury.

Swanson said he would revisit the television option if Burt is denied entry to Northern Ireland.

Swanson delayed the trial from December 15 until March 22 to allow time for the trip.