A Banbridge man who harassed his ex-partner with calls after struggling to deal with the relationship ending has been handed a conditional discharge.
Court heard that not only did the 29-year-old make calls to the injured party but also made contact with her family and friends, even turning up to a friend’s home.
Adam Proctor, appeared for sentencing on harassment and persistent improper use of communications to cause anxiety at Newry Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Prosecution outlined that on September 5, the injured party attended a police station to report being harassed by the defendant.
She explained that he had been emotional after a break up in their relationship on August 28, that day she received four calls from Proctor.
On August 29, there were two calls and during one of these the injured party stressed to the defendant that the relationship was over.
The following day, she received eight missed calls from Proctor and on August 31, a further 11 missed calls.
There had also been 15 calls from a private number, which the defendant believed were from the defendant.
Proctor had also made contact with her family and friends, even turning up at one of her friend’s home.
On September 3, the defendant contacted the injured party once more and she explained to him again that the relationship was over.
Then on September 5, Proctor attended the injured party’s home, as she was living the property.
She got into her car but the defendant held the door of the vehicle open and refused to leave.
Proctor attended Banbridge Police Station for a voluntary interview, during this he did not deny making the calls.
The defendant also admitted to sending emails and Snapchat requests to the injured party.
Prosecution stated: “There was no threat of violence, it was just a case of him not accepting that the relationship was over”.
Defence solicitor Gabriel Ingram said: “There has been no contact since, they have no children so there is no reason for him to contact her and he did not after the involvement of police.
“As has already been said there was nothing of a violent nature in these offences”.
District Judge Mark McGarrity stated: “Given what has been said on your behalf and the positive pre-sentence report, I accept that this is just something that happened, the relationship ended and you struggled to deal with it”.
Proctor was handed a conditional discharge for two years and a restraining order was also made for a period of two years in relation to the injured party.
