A 31-year-old man from County Armagh has appeared at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to sending an unwanted sexual image and being accused of a sustained campaign of stalking against his former partner, the court heard on Friday.
Allegations of persistent contact and unwanted material
Prosecutors described a pattern of conduct that began in December 2025 and continued until mid-May this year, during which the alleged victim received repeated messages, calls and emails. The court was told the complainant had ended the relationship about a year before reporting the behaviour to police.
Between 10 and 12 April this year the injured party was said to have received 33 emails, and on 8 April the complainant received 19 calls as well as numerous texts from different numbers. The prosecution also told the court that on 20 March the defendant sent a video showing the complainant engaged in a sexual act, which was unwanted and caused significant distress.
“This message was unwanted by the complainant and the behaviour caused great anxiety,”
The defendant, who lives on Ardboe Drive, Lurgan, previously admitted sending the unwanted sexual image on 20 March and acknowledged allegations of stalking between 1 December 2025 and 15 May 2026. The prosecutor said the victim contacted police in May to report the ongoing course of conduct, which the victim described as unwelcome and escalating.
Details put before magistrates
The court heard examples of messages that the complainant received which included pleas to re‑engage, such as requests to call and invitations to social activities. These communications were said to include lines such as “Please call me,” “Can we talk?” and “I miss us, the real us”. The prosecution said the defendant had a "complete inability to accept the relationship was over."
Defence counsel acknowledged an incident in which the client was effectively identified as the source of one of the messages after the complainant telephoned the number and confirmation followed. The defence also said the man had no previous convictions.
Local context and implications
The case illustrates how digital communications and social media can play a significant role in alleged harassment and stalking cases. For communities in Armagh and surrounding areas, the matter highlights the difficulties victims can face when unwanted contact escalates through multiple channels.
- Timeframe: Alleged behaviour from 1 December 2025 to 15 May 2026.
- Key incidents: 33 emails over three days in April; 19 calls on 8 April; unwanted sexual video sent on 20 March.
- Location: Defendant resides in Lurgan, County Armagh.
The legal process will consider both the sending of explicit material without consent and the broader pattern of contact alleged to amount to stalking. Such prosecutions increasingly involve digital evidence and often raise challenging issues for investigators and the courts about intent, impact and ongoing risk.
| Date | Alleged activity |
|---|---|
| 1 Dec 2025 | Start of alleged course of conduct |
| 20 Mar 2026 | Unwanted sexual video sent (admitted) |
| 8 Apr 2026 | 19 calls and numerous texts reported |
| 10-12 Apr 2026 | 33 emails received by the complainant |
| May 2026 | Complainant reported ongoing harassment to police |
Next steps in the case
The matter will return to the court for sentencing and further directions. The prosecutor stressed the distress caused to the complainant by the unsolicited material and the repeated contact. Defence counsel noted the defendant’s lack of previous convictions, while the court considered the evidence already admitted.
For local residents and services, the case underscores the importance of reporting harassment and seeking support. Police and victim support organisations can provide advice on preserving evidence and safety planning when unwanted contact continues.
The court appearance was held at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court. No sentencing outcome was reported at the hearing covered here.
