Suspended jail term for woman found guilty of persistent improper use of the public telecommunications network

Rachel Lean McGoldrick, 37, whose address was given as Teeling View in Dunmurry, appeared before Lisburn Magistrates Court for sentencing, having previously been found guilty after contesting the charge.

The facts of the case were not opened in court. However it is understood the charge dates back to July 2022 and relates to messages sent to family members following the death of the defendant’s brother.

A defence lawyer told the court: “The offence took place against the backdrop of an environment of high emotion.

"This is a lady who put herself through university in Liverpool.

"This is not a lady engaged in criminality.

"She takes full responsibility for sending messages and in hindsight she wouldn’t have sent messages. Her reactions were based on emotion and anger.

“She has learnt a salutary lesson.”

District Judge Rosie Watters stated that the defendant should not have contested the charges and should have accepted responsibility at an early stage.

She said: “She shouldn’t have contested it. That would have made things much better.”

Addressing the defendant, Ms Watters continued: “It is a terribly pity that because of your brother’s death you have ended up in this situation.

"You should have pleaded guilty and said sorry.

"So many families are torn apart by money after someone dies.”

Ms Watters imposed a custodial sentence of three months, which she suspended for a period of two years.