Stalker given suspended sentence over sexually explicit letters
John McGinley appeared at Londonderry Magistrates' Court on Friday
- Published
A man who was charged with stalking after he sent a neighbour a number of distressing letters has avoided jail.
John McGinley, 69, from Marianus Park in Londonderry sent three letters to the woman in which he made sexually explicit allegations.
Londonderry Magistrates' Court was told on Friday that McGinley sent the letters between March and July of last year.
He was sentenced to five months in custody, suspended for three years.
Expressed remorse
The court was told the injured party took the letters to police who carried out an analysis of the handwriting.
McGinley, the court heard, claimed to have fallen out with the injured party over her treatment of another neighbour
A barrister for McGinley said the charges were serious, adding that he had only one previous conviction for a motoring offence.
McGinley, the barrister added, was "absolutely accepting" of his guilt and has since expressed remorse.