Mum has man under control, court is told

Steven Ronald Bordessa, Hayes Park, Seapatrick, admitted between June 24 and July 3 this year pursuing a course of conduct which amounted to harassment.

He also pleaded guilty to sending by means of a public electronic communications system messages of a menacing nature.

The court heard that the injured party, who had previously employed the defendant, reported to police that he had received threatening text messages from Bordessa.

In the first message he said the injured party should pay a sum of money ‘or you with end up with f—k all’ and in another message he said ‘his da was a top man in the UVF’ in Lurgan.

The text messages continued and one day the injured party came out of his home to find a combat style jacket hanging on a gatepost.

When interviewed Bordessa accepted sending the messages ‘in a moment of madness’.

A barrister representing Bordessa said the pre-sentence report was very hopeful and positive.

He added that the defendant’s mother, who was with him in court, was aghast at her son’s behaviour which came as a result of the breakdown of his marriage.

The barrister explained that this did not happen in a moment of madness but came from intoxication over a period of time when Bordessa had been drinking daily.

He added that the defendant did work for the victim and was under the impression he was owed money which led to him engaging in this behaviour.

The barrister said that Bordessa was now stable and living with his mother who has him under control and he has learned his lesson.

District Judge Amanda Brady said it was a ‘nasty type of offence’ and ‘very frightening’ for the person on the end of it.

She added that the defendant had come through a difficult period in his life.

For each of the two offences he sentenced him to 80 hours community service.

The prosecution also applied for a restraining order.

Judge Brady agreed to the order banning Bordessa from contacting the injured party by any means for two years.