Derry man receives longer sentence because offences were 'aggravated' by domestic abuse

A man has been jailed at Derry Magistrate's Court for a longer period because the judge said his offences were aggravated by domestic abuse.

Sean Paul Boyle (29) of Marianus Park in Derry admitted a series of charges including harrassment and abuse of the communication network.

The court heard that a restraining order had been granted to the injured party in this case on August 22 last year preventing Boyle from harassing her. 

The woman reported that between March 10 and 15 the defendant had made 15 unfounded accusations about her to Social Services. 

None of the allegations were found proven despite an investigation and a social worker corroborated the woman's story. 

The defendant then told social services 'he would be taking matters into his own hands' which was construed as a threat.

The court heard that Boyle was arrested on March 17 and in the course of the arrest he spat on an officer. 

A quantity of cannabis was also found on him and while in custody he had urinated against a cell door. 

The court also heard that in December 23 last Boyle was found with 11 Diazepam tablets on him. 

The court was also told that between June 29 and July 2 last year, the sister of the woman in the other charges received texts and videos from the defendant caused her concern for her sister's safety.

Boyle was quoted as saying 'I will do life no problem' and was seen on video outside the woman's property making allegations about her current partner.

The woman believed her sister was in danger of violence from the defendant. 

Defence counsel Eoghan Devlin said that Boyle had been in custody for sometime. 

He said he had learned a lesson and this was 'exemplified' by his early plea.

Boyle was jailed for a period of seven months and District Judge Barney McElholm said this was longer than what he might have got due to the domestic abuse aggravator.