A man who subjected his ex-partner to a campaign of “high levels of emotional abuse” was jailed for three months.
The Craigavon Magistrate’s Court has heard that the victim contacted police last July and reported that his ex-partner Paul Beattie, 38, had “frequently texted” him and threatened to commit suicide.
She had been in a relationship with Beatty for about 18 months, during which time the victim reported that he “continuously texted her,” even when she was out with friends.
Attorneys for the prosecution told the court that the victim blocked Beattie on all social media platforms, but the emails he sent got to her spam folder and she was still able to read them.
Beattie, who was arrested and interviewed at Belvedere Manor in Lurgan, made a full confession and subsequently began pleading guilty to “domestic abuse crimes” between April 9 and 24 last year. physical or mental harm”.
Attorney John Paul McCann said Beatty “took the end of the relationship very badly and acted very inappropriately”, but he now accepts that it’s over.
District Judge Bernie Kelly said that because of Beatty’s attitude toward probation, community disposition was not open to her, and that “when it’s a matter this serious, there’s only one option.”
Emphasizing that the same offense can last up to 14 years at the criminal court level, the judge told Beatty that the victim was subjected to “a very high level of emotional abuse…so far, this is how you treat your ex-partner as a psychopath.” “I have been exposed to harassment,” he said. We have to take it seriously.”
Beattie was released on bail pending an appeal of the verdict.
