Man admitted he wanted to 'scare' his former partner given a suspended sentence for harassment

A man who admitted he wanted to 'scare' his former partner has been given a suspended sentence at Derry Magistrate's Court today for harassment.

Blaine Semple (33) of York Street in Derry admitted one charge harassment that occurred on dates between April 27 and June 16 this year.

The court heard that the injured party contacted police to say Semple was putting posts about her on Facebook despite police speaking to him. 

She said that the messages had become increasingly 'threatening and abusive' because she had moved on after their relationship ended.

The court heard that the behaviour 'escalated' and her phone number was placed on social media and a threat to put up her address causing her distress.

When questioned about the offences Semple said he wanted to scare her and said they were 'stupid text messages.'

He told police that because Facebook was a public forum he didn't think he 'was doing anything wrong.'

Semple accepted he had 'pushed it to the limit.'

Defence counsel Stephen Mooney said this was a long term relationship. 

He said Semple now 'acknowledged the full extent of his offending.'

The barrister said that he was instructed to apologise for his client's actions and said he felt he had done enough 'to spare him from prison.'

Semple was sentenced to five months in prison suspended for three years, ordered to pay £750 in compensation and had a

Restraining Order imposed for a period of five years prohibiting from contact with the injured party.