A jealous woman who put her ex-partner “through hell” then lied to the court during a contest around her campaign of harassment, has managed to avoid prison after a judge decided to suspend the nine month sentence imposed.

However, despite a period of deferral since conviction, Laura Wylie (38) from Feddans Road, Garvary, continues to deny the offences.
She had already caused difficulties for the victim who obtained a Restraining Order from the court, but Wylie paid little heed, breaching this numerous times then refuting allegations against her, while the harassing behaviour persisted.
Previously Fermanagh Magistrates Court heard Wylie became jealous of her ex-partner’s new relationship, resulting in a “stalking” campaign, lasting from March to September 2018.
Over multiple instances, the court heard Wylie was making up to 70 phone calls a day to the victim who obtained the Restraining Order in early 2018.
In evidence, the victim said some of these calls came in the middle of the night, many from withheld numbers.
Some would be silent while others were abusive, and the victim recognised certain comments, telling the court: “I knew it was her.”
As well as forbidding contact with the victim the Restraining Order banned Wylie from entering his home or work.
But he was able to provide police with CCTV footage and still-images of a red Seat Leon and a woman at his house and place of work.
With flat denials to all charges, the defence argued the images were not clear enough to distinguish if they were Wylie and pointed to the withheld telephone numbers.
However, some of the calls were from number linked to Wylie and one of the victim’s employees rang during one occasion, to say she was at his business.
Matters came to a head in September 2018.
Wylie had arrived at the victim’s home, and his friend called police, then reversed his van across the entrance to prevent her leaving.
She was arrested and charged, but refuted the allegations.
Having scoffed throughout her ex-partner’s evidence in court, Wylie attempted to portray herself the victim.
She accepted speaking to him but insisted this was purely to get money back for damage she claimed he caused to her car.
“I was driving past and he threw a brick through the window of my car. 
“He wrecked two cars and caused damage to my mother’s car,” she claimed.
This. nor any other incidents allegedly caused by the victim were reported to police.
Defiant to the last, Wylie denied any harassment occurred and totally rejected being jealous because the victim was in another relationship.
But District Judge Michael Ranaghan stated: “I have no doubt that every word you have told the court has been a lie.”
He deferred sentencing for six months but warned Wylie any breach of Restraining Order in the interim would result in an immediate custodial sentence, and the prospect of serving up to a year in jail.
With six months passed, the case came back to court where the defence explained Wylie maintains her denials, but has not reoffended.
He conceded: “My client’s conduct represents a serious intrusion in the life of the injured party, but she had not challenged the (Restraining) Order since the date of convictions.”
Referring to a psychologist’s report, he described Wylie as having: “ Low self-esteem. She is vigilant, always on guard and mistrusting of other people, while highly dependant on some. 
“It created the perfect storm.”
He continued: “She was clearly dependent on her ex-partner and has struggled to get over the break-up in their relationship.”
It was conceded Wylie demonstrated: “A lack of acceptance to what was going on.”
Judge Ranaghan remarked: “ I am very familiar with the defendant. This was at the upper end of offending.”
Addressing Wylie, he said: “You made this man’s life hell and I know you don’t accept that.”
As Judge Ranaghan imposed a sentence of four months imprisonment, Wylie from the dock appeared stunned and said “What?”
Having then been handed a further five months imprisonment for the second set of offences to run consecutively making a total of nine months, Wylie shook her head repeatedly while the judge was speaking.
He asked: “Why are you shaking your head?”
She replied: “I’m afraid of everything you are saying.”
Judge Ranaghan retorted: “Good. It’s time you were afraid. You made the injured party very afraid and you don’t think you did anything wrong.”
Suspending the nine month term for two years and six months, Judge Ranaghan warned: “If you go near the injured party you will be back in this court and on your way to prison. This man needs protected from you.”
The Restraining Order was re-imposed with the Judge remarking: “Given the campaign of harassment at your hands, I am satisfied the order should be in place forever.”
Wylie left the courtroom, but her lawyer returned a short time later and made an application for bail to appeal.
Judge Ranaghan stated: “If she wants to take that chance, it’s up to her.”
He set bail at £300 pending appeal.