Sex shop owner in European appeal

The shop owner is taking his case to Europe

The owner of a Belfast sex shop trading without a licence is taking his case to the European Court of Human Rights, it has been revealed in court.

Earlier this year the House of Lords backed Belfast City Council's blanket ban on sex shops.

However, a number have continued trading in the Gresham Street area.

A lawyer for the owner of one - Miss Behavin - who is being prosecuted by the council, told Belfast Magistrates Court he was taking his case to Europe.

The defence was applying for an adjournment of the case as an application was being made under Article 10 of the European Convention - the right to freedom of expression.

The council's solicitor opposed an adjournment which he described as "an exercise in prevarication".

He said that regardless of any judgement by the European court, the legal position was that the council's decision not to grant a licence had been unanimously endorsed by five law lords.

Resident Magistrate Ken Nixon granted an adjournment until 13 November for confirmation that the European court hearing was going ahead.