Templepatrick man (62) harassed former house cleaner by saying he had 'fallen in love' with her
A 62-year-old man harassed a woman who had cleaned his house by sending her messages saying he had "fallen in love" with her.
Mark Holland, of Templeton Park in Templepatrick, admitted a charge of harassment and a charge of sending messages which were 'grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character, namely sent offensive, racist messages'.
He was at Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena, on Tuesday. A prosecutor said on January 11 this year the defendant rang police and claimed his vehicle had been taken and that he was going to get a knife and "kill someone" and also that he was going to "murder someone with a Colt 45".
When police made enquiries it then emerged that last summer court a woman had been asked to clean the defendant's property and in December last year the defendant began sending her unwanted messages saying he had "fallen in love" with her and he "showed up" at her address.
The woman said she did not want to be contacted but he continued to text her saying he "couldn't stop thinking about her".
He would message her in the early hours saying he was "turned on" and that he loved her and "wanted to jump into bed with her".
The messages became "more aggressive" including "racist comments". Multiple voicemails were left. The court was told the woman was upset and "lives in fear" of the defendant.
The defendant told police his behaviour was "due to his level of intoxication and his loneliness" and the messages were a "cry for help".
A defence barrister said the defendant had asked the victim to block him on the phone "because he is aware his behaviour is very concerning whenever he has that much alcohol consumed". The lawyer said the incidents were "a serious wake-up call".
District Judge Nigel Broderick said the charges were "serious" but the defendant had pleaded guilty and had a "limited record".
The defendant was given a four months prison term, suspended for two years. A two-year Restraining Order was also put in place.