Suspended sentence for Derry man who breached non-molestation order
The 50-year-old was ordered to stay away from the victim's address after launching a persistent early-morning disturbance at her door.
A man who a judge said had made himself 'an absolute nuisance' to a woman has been given a suspended sentence at Derry Magistrate's Court today.
Gary McLaughlin (50) of no fixed abode admitted breaching a non molestation order on June 15.
The court heard that police received a report from the injured party who said that McLaughlin had come to her door at 3am and was pressing her buzzer continuously.
He asked to be allowed in but was told no and continued to press the buzzer.
The woman claimed that his presence outside her door left her 'frightened'.
Defence counsel Michael Donaghy said that this was not a domestic case.
He said the defendant had stayed with this woman at one stage but they went their separate ways due to his drinking.
The barrister said that there had been no threats of violence in the incident and asked for credit for the guilty plea.
District Judge Suzanne Rice said the offence was more one of nuisance than anything else.
She said that McLaughlin already had a suspended sentence hanging over him which she was going to increase.
McLaughlin was given a four month sentence suspended for two years and was ordered not to be in the vicinity of where the woman lived.