Judge's jail warning for arson text threat man

A BALLYMENA man who sent threatening text messages to his former partner has been warned he is facing imprisonment if he re-offends within the next six months.

Sentencing was deferred until April 21 next year on Brian McMaster (26), of Upper Princes Street, after he admitted a charge of improper use of a public electronic communications network, when he appeared at Ballymena Magistrates Court.

The court was told that police who attended the injured party’s address on September 27 found she had received a series of abusive texts from her former partner.

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They included warnings about the woman having 48 hours to move away and threats to burn her out.

When interviewed by police, McMaster said he was annoyed that the injured party had contacted outside agencies in order to sort out the couple’s issues rather than contacting the defendant himself.

Solicitor Liam Donnelly said McMaster is on medication and anti-depressants.

District Judge Des Perry described McMaster’s actions as “worrying, to say the least”.

“If there is any repetition of this, I will have no hesitation in sending you straight to prison,” he added.

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