Co Antrim man who 'terrorised' ex-partner is banned from making any reference to her on social media
A man who "terrorised" his ex-partner during a campaign of domestic abuse has been ordered not to make any reference about her on social media.
Reece Thompson (24), with an address listed as Thornhill Road near Antrim town, was sentenced at Ballymena Magistrates Court in relation to domestic abuse between March and July this year.
The court was told the woman said the defendant would "regularly" become "highly aggressive and angry" and would be "shouting and screaming" in her face whilst she was holding a baby.
On another occasion he hit the woman on the leg with a child's swing. The court was told the defendant would sometimes phone her "up to 60 times a day".
A defence barrister said the defendant pleaded guilty and had apologised.
District Judge Nigel Broderick said it had been "appalling" behaviour and the defendant "terrorised this woman and made her life a misery". He said the woman suffered "significant emotional harm".
The judge said there was "every reason" why the defendant should be jailed but the "only things" saving him were a guilty plea and "your lack of criminal record".
He said he was handing down an Enhanced Community Order (ECO) as a "direct alternative to imprisonment".
The judge said such Orders are "not an easy option" and with them there are no second chances and any breaches result in immediate jail.
As part of the ECO the defendant was ordered to do 100 hours of Community Service and was put on Probation for 18 months. He must not develop a relationship without disclosure.
The court was told the woman said the defendant makes "constant social media posts about her".
The defence barrister said he didn't believe the defendant had been doing so "in the recent past" but had no objection to to a condition regarding such posts.
A three-year Restraining Order was also put in place including having no contact with the victim and the defendant is not to make any reference to her on any social media platform.
Judge Broderick told the defendant: "If you mention her name on any post, Tweet, or whatever, that will be a breach of the Order and I will send you to prison."