A court has heard how a County Tyrone man allegedly encouraged his ex-partner to self-harm amongst a deluge of threatening and abusive messages, some of which are too graphic to report.
Ciaran Wootton (29) from Baronscourt Road, Drumquin is charged with encouraging or assisting serious self-harm, pursuing a course of conduct amounting to harassment, causing fear of violence, engaging in abusive behaviour to cause physical or psychological harm and misuse of a communications network.
Offending is alleged to have occurred on dates between October 6 and 12.
A police officer told Omagh Magistrates’ Court the charges could be connected.
He explained Wootton’s ex-partner contacted police around midnight on October 18 after receiving abusive messages from him, causing her significant distress.
They had been in a relationship which ended last year, however, when Wootton was released from prison in July for unrelated matters, this was rekindled.
She claimed over the last number of weeks his abusive behaviour had escalated, using degrading language, some of which is too graphic to report.
However, in one instance he allegedly messaged, “You can’t even kill yourself properly. Do us all a favour.”
In another, Wootton allegedly warned she had “crossed the wrong person” and he was outside her house and “going to hurt her”.
He also allegedly rang from a withheld number stating he would, “smash her in”.
The officer said the content of the abuse centres on suggestions of infidelity and in referring the complainant partner Wootton messaged, “I hope it’s worth it even if you are a two-faced tramp. You should be more scared of me than that handicap.”
There were also numerous references to very personal matters relating to the complainant which the officer described as “extremely concerning”.
The complainant provided police with screenshots of the messages and Wootton was arrested.
During interview he provided a pre-prepared statement in which he claimed contact was initiated by the complainant and he had responded.
He also informed her he was in a new relationship and it was later that day she made the complaint to police, contending “this is all one-sided”.
Objecting to bail the officer pointed to a relevant record for assaults and domestic abuse for which he served a prison sentence.
“The complainant is vulnerable and there was a previous incident in 2025 involving threats to kill including reference to a child, however no statement was made and the case was dropped,” said the officer.
Wootton is also currently on bail for allegedly assaulting another woman in a bar, and while this is not domestic related, the officer said: “The latest matters allegedly occurred in breach of the conditions imposed.”
A defence solicitor advised Wootton to surrender his phone to police which showed the complainant contacted him after reporting the messages, allegedly stating, “I hope you rot in prison.”
While the officer agreed with this, he added, “It still doesn’t account for the messages the defendant sent beforehand.”
Urging bail to be granted, the defence stressed, “While acknowledging the messages were unsavoury, there are two sides to every story. This was two-way traffic. The complainant’s contact after going to police all tied in with the defendant informing her of his new relationship. Suddenly, after a six-day delay from the last incident, she contacts police.”
District Judge Conor Heaney said: “This is a finely balanced decision, but I am persuaded risk can be managed.”
He set bail at £500 to reside at an address approved by police and refrain from contacting the complainant or entering the area of her home.
Judge Heaney permitted Wootton to have one phone which he must allow police to inspect at any time.
The case will return to court on November 17.
