Enniskillen Court House RMG10
A KESH man has been given community service for harassing his ex-girlfriend and burning her belongings.
Kyle Armstrong (30) of Mantlin Road, Tattykeel was pleaded guilty to harassing his ex-partner and causing criminal damage to her belongings between March and April 2014.
Enniskillen Magistrates Court was told on Monday that his former girlfriend, who lives in Dromore, attended Omagh Police Station on Monday, April 17 2014 to make a complaint about an ongoing issue with her ex-partner.
She told the police Armstrong had been sending her unwanted text messages, which were not of a threatening nature, and had been sitting outside her house for hours on end when he had no reason to be in Dromore.
Armstrong’s former partner told him she wanted nothing more to do with him. Following this, Armstrong sent her five photos of items belonging to her burning, including a child’s car seat, a coat worth £150, and a pair of sunglasses worth £150.
When arrested and interviewed by police, Armstrong said he had been annoyed after splitting up with his girlfriend.
Defence barrister Stefan Rafferty said Armstrong had issues with his mental health, and referred to a report before the court which outlined how the end of March 2014 was “a traumatic and troubling time” for the defendant.
“He had difficulties reconciling what had happened in the relationship,” said Mr Rafferty. “He wanted to know why it had broken down, and he accepts that his behaviour was excessive.”
District Judge Nigel Broderick said taking his ex’s items, burning them, then sending her photos was “quite nasty.” Mr Rafferty said Armstrong had been “driven by frustration of not knowing what the situation was” and “accepts it was foolish.”
Mr Rafferty added Armstrong was remorseful and appreciated how what he had done had affected his former partner. He said Armstrong had since tried to move on from the incident, but was struggling to and had been suffering from depression, for which he was hospitalised. Mr Rafferty said he was currently on sick leave from work.
Judge Broderick said it was “one thing to take items from someone” but to burn them and send photos to his former partner was another thing. He added that thankfully, there had been no repetition of the incident.
Judge Broderick said Armstrong had a limited record and clearly had other issues. He sentenced him to 120 hours community service and ordered him to pay compensation of £300 to his ex-partner.
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