County Derry man who drilled holes in his ex-wife's car tyres 'wanted to have control over her movements'

A County Derry man who drilled holes in his ex-wife's car tyres 'wanted to have control over her movements', a court has heard.

Appearing before Limavady Magistrates Court, sitting in Coleraine this morning (Wednesday), was Joseph Alister King, who was charged with criminal damage and harassment.

King, of Ballyhackett Road in Castlerock, committed the offences earlier this year on February 20 and 21.

The court heard that the injured party, King's former wife of 37 years, contacted police and stated that she had received unwanted telephone calls from the defendant on February 20.

The woman claimed that she had received nine calls from King while she was at her work on February 20.

During one of the calls, 63 year-old King informed his ex-wife that she had left the lights on in her home.

The following day, the woman left her home in her car to travel to an appointment however while on the way there she noticed her car veering all over the road and she was forced to pull in at her brother's farm.

The woman discovered that two of her car tyres were flat and there was a distinct round hole in each of the tyres.

The victim received three voicemails from King that day.

In one of the voicemails, King said: “Make sure you have four f***ing spare wheels d***head b*****d.”

In another voicemail, King said: “I know exactly where you are as you can't go anywhere.”

The woman received 12 unwanted calls and seven abusive text messages from King on February 21.

She told police that since their separation this was a regular occurence and that she had felt harassed and fearful.

When King was interviewed in relation to the incidents, he stated: “I drilled two f***ing holes in the wheels of her car.”

Solicitor Don Mahoney described King's actions as 'foolish', adding that he 'now recognises that the relationship is over'.

Reading from a pre-sentence report that was before the court, District Judge Peter King noted that the defendant 'wanted to have some control over his ex-wife's movements'.

He said that 'jealousy and anger underpinned this behaviour' adding that his 'actions had potential to cause her serious harm on the road'.

“I conclude that you pose a risk to the injured party and the custody threshold has well and truly been crossed,” Judge King said.

He told the defendant however that he had taken into account his clear previous record and guilty pleas and had decided not to impose immediate custody.

Handing down a five month jail sentence, Judge King suspended it for three years.

He also imposed a restraining order for three years and ordered King to pay £145 compensation to the injured party.

“You have missed prison today by a whisker,” the judge said to King, warning: “If there is any whiff of offending going forward you are going straight to prison.”