Not even a fine for man who threatened to hunt down and hurt health minister Robin Swann’s family

Just over a month ago, as the Ulster Unionist minister and father of two young children was working to save lives from coronavirus, he received a series of obnoxious messages on social media.

Two days later the PSNI arrested a 26-year-old man in the Ballymena area but quickly released him on police bail while other inquiries were made.

Since then, the police have made no further comment on the investigation.

The News Letter asked the police for an update on the case and in response they issued a brief statement from Superintendent Darrin Jones which made clear that from the perspective of the police the matter is now closed without even a fine for the man behind the threats.

In the one-sentence statement Supt Jones said: “Police investigating threatening and offensive comments made on a social media platform on Friday, 3rd April have administered an adult caution to a 26-year-old man.”

The expletive-laden messages sent to Mr Swann involved explicitly sectarian references.

The first message had said: “You and your scummy bastarding government are f*****g useless c***s and I swear when this is all over il [sic] hunt you good for nothing rotten bastards down and il [sic] make you and your family suffer ya useless f*****g bastard. Time you British bastards left Ireland.”

Then he received a second message from the same account which endorsed the IRA with the words “Uppa ra [sic]”.

According to College of Police guidelines, adult cautions are “a formal warning given to an adult who has admitted an offence ... when it is not in the public interest to prosecute an offender”.

The advice also says that the victim must be consulted beforehand and asked for their views and that “a caution may only be administered for these offences where exceptional circumstances exist, and must also be authorised by a senior police officer”.

The News Letter asked Mr Swann if he was satisfied with the outcome of the police investigation but at the time of going to press he had not commented.

The College of Police guidelines state that while adult cautions are available for most offences, “they are intended for low-level offending”.

However, although a caution contains no threat of prison time, as would be the case with a suspended sentence, or monetary penalty, it does form part of a criminal record and may be disclosed in some circumstances in future legal proceedings or to an employer, as part of a background check.

There was widespread political condemnation of the threat Mr Swann and his family had received.

Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said at the time: “The disgraceful abuse and threats against Health Minister Robin Swann are to be condemned.”

DUP leader and First Minister Arlene Foster said: “This is vile and disgusting, especially at a time when we are focused on protecting life and getting Northern Ireland through Covid-19.”

TUV leader and fellow North Antrim MLA Jim Allister also condemned the threats and said: “Speaking as a representative of a rival political party I think it is important to note that the vast majority of commentary I hear from members of the public is supportive of how Robin has performed thus far.”

One of those threatened by the individual was Mr Swann’s seven-year-old son Evan, who was born with a heart defect.

He spent the first 13 months of his life in hospital and the North Antrim MLA has frequently spoken of his admiration for the National Health Service which twice saved his life with open heart surgery and highly specialised care.

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