A 30-YEAR-OLD man set fire to items belonging to his ex-girlfriend before taking photographs and emailing them to her shortly after their break-up, Fermanagh Magistrates Court has heard.

Kyle Armstrong, of Mantlin Road, Kesh, pleaded guilty to pursuing a course of conduct that amounted to harassment of his former partner on dates between March 30 and April 6, 2014.

Armstrong also pleaded guilty to a further charge of the criminal damage of a child’s car seat, coats and childrens’ toys belonging to the woman on dates between March 30 and April 5, 2014.

The court heard that, on April 7, 2014, the injured party attended Omagh police station to report an “ongoing issue” with her ex-partner. She told officers that they had split up on March 30, and since then she had received a series of “unwanted” texts to her mobile phone.

The woman further alleged that the defendant had been sitting outside her property in Dromore for “hours on end” and he had no other reason for being there.

Police examined the texts, and found that they were not threatening in nature. However, the injured party made it clear that she wanted nothing further to do with Armstrong.

She also informed officers that the defendant had sent five pictures to her email address. These photographs showed items belonging to her that had been set on fire and were burning.

During a subsequent interview with the police, Armstrong denied the allegations, but admitted that he had sent messages after the break-up. He alleged that he asked his ex-partner why the relationship ended, what went wrong and if he could have his belongings back.

His mobile phone was later examined by the police.

A Public Prosecution Service (PPS) representative told the court that the victim was seeking £300 in compensation.

Defending counsel, Steffan Rafferty, urged the judge to take into account that the offences had occurred just shy of two years ago.

The barrister said his client had been arrested and interviewed in April 2014 and had cooperated with the police investigation. Mr Rafferty said the defendant had experienced “some difficulties” in reconciling what had happened in the relationship and had sought clarification.

After district judge Nigel Broderick observed that it had been “quite nasty to take the items and burn them”, the barrister replied that Armstrong was ashamed of his behaviour and couldn’t explain his motivation.

In mitigation, Mr Rafferty said that the defendant had expressed his regret and remorse and accepted it was wrong. He added that there was nothing relevant in Armstrong’s previous record and there had been no contact between the parties since.

“He has tried to move on,” the barrister said.

In passing sentence, Mr Broderick repeated that the offence had been “particularly nasty”.

However, taking into account that there had been no repetition as the second anniversary approached, the judge imposed a Community Service Order of 120 hours, concurrent on both charges.

He also ordered the defendant to pay £300 compensation to his victim.