Man made 87 unwanted calls to his ex-partner, Lisburn court hears

Darren Cosgrove, 24, whose address was given as Glencolin Grove in Belfast, appeared before Lisburn Magistrates Court charged with persistent improper use of public electronic communications network.

The court heard that the injured party told police she had been in a relationship with the defendant, which had deteriorated due to his perception that she was cheating on him.

It was stated that the defendant called the injured party in the early hours of the morning being abusive to her.

She asked him to stop calling, however it was reported that he continued to do so.

He then called a total of 87 times with no caller ID displayed.

The police attended the defendant’s address and he was arrested.

It was said that he accepted he had called the victim but said that she had never told him not to call her.

Defence stated that the defendant had received “a positive pre-sentence report” from the probation service.

District Judge Rosie Watters said: “He said this is a big wake-up call and is determined to make changes.”

Ms Watters imposed a probation order for 18 months.

During sentencing she told the defendant: “I hope that everything you have said is correct and that this is the last time you will ever be here.

"I impose probation to keep people out of trouble and out of this court. I hope it is helpful but I expect it to be helpful.”

Ms Watters also issued a restraining order for two years.