Derry man jailed for nine months for stalking

A man has been jailed at Derry Magistrate's Court for stalking a female.

Aaron Thornton (36) of Dove Gardens in Derry was sentenced for a series of offences including stalking a female and breaching a non molestation order on dates between December 30, 2022 and January 27, 2023, assault on the same female on December 25, 2022 and improper use of the communication network May 22 last year.

The court earlier had been told that Thornton had turned up at the woman's home, sent her a series of messages including at one stage threatening her with 'the boys' which she took to mean either the IRA or the INLA and telling her in one message 'watch your kitchen window.'

Jailing Thornton for nine months District Judge Barney McElholm imposed a Restraining Order for a period of five years. 

He warned the defendant that this order meant no contact whatsoever with the woman including through social media. 

He told the defendant 'this woman's name is not to be in your mouth'.