Man jailed after threatening to kill ex-partner during abusive calls

William Johnston, 21, was given a five-month sentence for a range of offences which also involved fraud and having Class C drugs.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard he made repeated contact with his former girlfriend on December 1 last year.

The woman told police she had received 29 threatening or abusive calls from Johnston.

“She recalled the defendant telling her he was going to kill her and burn down her house,” a prosecution lawyer said.

“When the allegations were put to him (in interview) he stated that he was going to beat her up when he was released from custody.”

Johnston, with a previous address at Templemore Avenue in Belfast, admitted threats to kill, threats to damage property, and improper use of a public electronic communications network.

He was also convicted of having a quantity of Pregabalin pills, fraud by false representation and stealing a debit card and mobile phone on dates earlier this year.

Defence barrister Richard McConkey argued that only the drugs offence was committed in breach of a previously suspended term.

Dealing with all Johnston’s offences, District Judge George Conner ordered: “There will be a maximum sentence of five months.”