Suspended sentence for 79-year-old man who admitted charge of harassment

A 79-year-old man who has only ever been in court once before in his life has been given a suspended sentence at Derry Magistrate's Court today for what a judge described as 'nasty' behaviour.

John Richard Stewart of Foyle Fold in Derry admitted a charge of harassment on dates between June 29 and September 26 2022.

He also charges of improper use of the communication network on similar dates.

The court heard that the injured party, the defendant's former partner, reported to police about incidents involving Stewart.

The injured party said they had been at the defendant's flat and an altercation had taken place and left her in fear of being assaulted.

As she was going down stairs Stewart threw a key at her.

The court heard that messages stating things like she was going to be 'executed'.

Defence counsel Fergal McCormack said that his client had pleaded guilty.

District Judge Ted Magill said that the defendant was 79-year-old with a relatively clear record.

He said what he had said was 'distasteful' but he had pleaded guilty.

He imposed a sentence of 3 months in prison suspended for 12 months and a Restraining Order for two years.