Man ‘threatened to post sexually explicit video on the internet’

Neil McFeely, of Methodist Mission, is charged with harassment, making threats to kill and attempted witness intimidation.

The charges relate to alleged incidents between April 26 and May 18.

Derry Magistrate’s Court heard the complainant made reports to police about unwanted contact from her ex-partner on five separate occasions during this period.

The first report was made after McFeely allegedly contacted her multiple times and threatened to post a sexually explicit video of her on Facebook. He also allegedly threatened to slit the woman’s new boyfriend’s throat and ‘watch his bleed out’.

The court heard the calls continued and during one call the 35-year-old allegedly made threat to take the lives of both the complainant and her boyfriend.

McFeely was arrested, charged and released on police bail with a condition not to have any contact with the complainant.

However, it is alleged three days later he contacted the woman again through phone calls and text messages.

During police interview, the 35-year-old allegedly admitted sending the messages whilst intoxicated and apologised.

He also told officers he did not have a sexually explicit video of the woman.

Opposing bail, an investigating officer said police believe McFeely will not abide by bail conditions and will commit further offences.

She conceded that the defendant does not have a substantial criminal record, but police concerns arise from his alleged inability to stop contacting the woman.

Defence counsel Steven Mooney said the allegations are ‘unedifying’ but his client did not seek to blame anyone but himself or deny the offences during police interview.

He said McFeely had been with the complainant for a significant period of time and ‘had great difficulty letting go of that relationship’.

The barrister added that the 35-year-old is a ‘relatively pathetic figure who at the bottom of a bottle of alcohol got hold of his phone and sent these messages’.

Referring to the sexually explicit video, Mr Mooney said is a was a ‘nasty comment’ made without any factual basis and it was not something his client ‘was going to do or could do’.

He added that McFeely is ‘remorseful and apologetic’ for his behaviour.

The defendant was released on his own bail of £500 and is banned from having any contact with the complainant or her boyfriend.

He is also prohibited from possessing a mobile phone or internet enabled device.