A man rang his ex girlfriend 300 times after she broke up with him by text, a court heard on Monday.
The allegation was made ahead of the 36-year-old civil servant being released on bail from the Magistrate’s Court in Derry where he appeared charged with engaging in abusive behaviour towards the complainant, stalking her with intent to cause her fear and engaging in abusive behaviour towards her.
DHSS employee Connor O’Kane from Carnhill is alleged to committed the offences in the early hours of last Saturday morning.
Opposing bail a police officer told Deputy District Judge Laura Ievers that the defendant was arrested last Saturday morning after the complainant contacted the police to report that she had pushed him out of her home which he had entered uninvited and in breach of a Non Molestation Order.
The police witness said the complainant told the police that her four week long relationship with the defendant had broken down three times because of frequent arguments and rows.
The officer added: “She said he became controlling, that he attempted to isolate her from family members and friends and wanted her to prioritise him over her five years old son. On the day she ended their relationship for the last time she says he phoned her 300 times, sent her 13 emails and messaged her nine times.
“The text messages included - ‘I’ll never stop loving you’ and ‘you’re my world’. The complainant says she has been left in complete fear of the defendant, so much so that she’s left her home with her five years old son and moved in with family members. After his arrest the defendant told the police during his interview that he had never been more in love and he denied causing her emotional abuse.”
Applying for bail solicitor Paddy MacDermott said the defendant found it difficult to cope with the ending of the relationship and he now accepted that his behaviour towards the complainant was unacceptable.
Releasing the defendant on bail until January 20, the Deputy District Judge ordered him to stay out of the Hazelbank estate and not to have any contact with the complainant either directly or indirectly. The defendant will also be electronically monitored, placed on curfew and he was ordered to abstain from alcohol.
English (United States) ·