Facebook abuser is condemned

Facebook abuser is condemned

14 December 2016

A DOWNPATRICK man who sent “grossly offensive” Facebook messages to a woman has received a suspended prison sentence.

A two-year restraining order was also placed on 23 year-old Jason Stephen McGeown after a judge heard he called the woman up to 50 times in one day.

McGeown appeared at Downpatrick Court on Thursday and admitted improper use of a communications network and breaching a non-molestation order.

The court was told the woman contacted police on July 17 after receiving 17 abusive Facebook messages and the 50 phone calls from McGeown.

A non-molestation order was placed on McGeown after the July 17 messages but he breached this when he sent the woman a text message on October 31.

A defence solicitor said McGeown, of Ardilea Close, was “emotionally immature” and could benefit from help from probation to develop proper “coping strategies.”

District Judge Greg McCourt said the messages McGeown sent were “grossly offensive.”

“He should be ashamed of himself,” the judge said who imposed a three month suspended sentence. 60 hours community service and 12 months on probation.

In addition, the judge put in place a restraining order for two years to prevent McGeown from harassing the woman or going within 100 metres of her home.