Derry man who set up fake profile of ex on dating site remanded

Jamie Quinn (32) of Bishop Street in Derry was charged with stalking his former partner on dates between January 1 this year and April 14.

He was also charged with harassment between the same dates and also engaging in a course of action deemed domestic abuse.

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail at the hearing on Thursday.

The court heard the defendant had put his former partner on a dating site and while pretending to be her directed 12 men to go to her address for sex.

One of the men had been told to let himself into the house but didn't, and texted when he was outside.

The court was told that the defendant had on two occasions followed the alleged injured party to the cinema and let her know he had been there.

Neighbours of the woman also reported seeing Quinn parking near her home and 'crawling on his hands and knees' between parked cars to watch her house.

At interview Quinn made admissions to sending the woman cards and flowers and to watching her, as well as setting up the dating profile.

The police officer said that the pair had been in a relationship for 18 months that ended in December.

Bail was objected to as the officer said this was 'a prolonged campaign with sinister intentions'.

She said that Quinn's actions had placed the woman in 'significant danger' and described them as 'a series of intentional actions designed to intimidate and put the woman in fear'.

The court heard that police were currently investigating a similar report from another former partner of Quinn's in 2024, when the woman involved allegedly found a tracker on her car.

Defence counsel Stephen Chapman said this man had no record and had made admissions and said he could be released on bail subject to conditions.

District Judge Oonagh Mullan said there were 'very serious issues' in the case and refused bail.

Quinn will appear again on May 14.