A LISNASKEA couple have been given suspended sentences for harassing a neighbour over a cat’s vet bill.
Michelle Constantinidou (41) and Matthew Slate (38), both of Carrowshee Park in Lisnaskea, had initially denied harassing Noel Kavanagh between January 1 and April 10 last year, however the couple changed their pleas to guilty at Enniskillen Magistrates Court last Wednesday.
The court heard how the harassment began after they had asked Mr Kavanagh to look after their cat when they were in England. They said they had to take the cat to the vets upon their return and held Mr Kavanagh responsible for their bill of £280.
Following this, the couple began sending multiple texts and Facebook messages to Mr Kavanagh about the vet costs, and rang him a couple of times. While the court was told the messages became more aggressive, it was also stated no force was used and Mr Kavanagh did not feel any fear.
Defence barristers for Constantinidou and Slate, Stephen Fitzpatrick and Stefan Rafferty, apologised on behalf of their clients, and said neither had any objection to a restraining order being taken out against them.
The court heard Mr Kavanagh no longer lived in Fermanagh, meaning there was less likelihood the couple, who are engaged and hope to marry this year, would run into him.
District Judge Nigel Broderick said the case was “a nasty type of offence” and whatever had happened did not justify the harassment.
He added he accepted no violence had been used and no money had changed hands. Judge Broderick said both defendants had a poor record, mostly in their native England. He sentenced them each to five months in prison, suspended for three years, and issued a 12 month restraining order preventing them from contacting Mr Kavanagh.
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