Prison warning for Scarva man

He was Phillip Magill, Moody Park, Scarva, and he admitted the offence which happened on December 19 last year.

Magill was also ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy.

The case had been listed as a contest but last Thursday he changed his plea to guilty.

The court heard that police were contacted by the injured party who said that Magill was outside her property and was being abusive towards her. They only lived a number of doors apart.

She claimed friends were visiting and the defendant was at her gate.

He was verbally abusive and made derogatory remarks.

A barrister representing the defendant said Magill had one conviction for a similar offence and there was nothing else in the pipeline.

He explained his client had been in a relationship with the injured party and when this broke down it had an impact on him.

District Judge, Mr Paul Copeland, said that when a court imposes a non molestation order it does so with good reason and takes seriously any breach of the order.

He added that there was some credit for the change of plea although this came at the last minute and the injured party had attended at court.

Information before the court showed she was extremely distressed and upset, added Judge Copeland.

He said Magill had caused her ‘worry and alarm’ and that was why she turned to the court for protection.

“She is entitled to move on with her life and remain unmolested,” said the judge.

And he warned Magill if he appeared in court again for breaching the order he was at risk of going to jail.