A YOUNG man who threatened to kill two girls and break their teeth has been given a suspended sentence.

The two threats to kill charges, along with a single count of improper use of public communications, related to an incident on November 10, 2020.

Police received a report from a staff member at the Rossory Grove Supported Accommodation from one of the injured parties that alleged they were being threatened by Matthew Acheson (18), with an address of Longfield Lodge, Killadeas.

It was heard that Acheson had sent a voice message via Snapchat to one of the injured party, in which he said would kill the two girls, and that the next time he saw them he was “breaking your ugly teeth”.

Acheson made a series of other threats against the two girls, the court heard.

His barrister, Ciaran Roddy, told Enniskillen Magistrates Court, that it was an “utterly appalling way to speak to anyone, let alone two young females” but said the incident happened at a time of personal angst for Acheson.

Diversion

Mr. Roddy pointed out Acheson was 16 years old at the time of the incident, and at the outset there was an offer of diversion for Acheson but he did not accept it.

Acheson, Mr. Roddy said, had been in prison since the beginning of October on other matters, and had several relevant convictions on his record.

He added Acheson had entered a guilty plea at a relatively early stage, and this prevented two young and potentially vulnerable females from having to give evidence.

Deputy District Judge John Rea told Acheson he was guilty of two very serious charges which would have had a considerable effect on the injured parties.

He accepted they were committed while he was a youth, and he had already served a significant sentence on other matters, but the custody threshold had been met.

However, Judge Rea decided to leave something hanging over Acheson’s head, and handed him a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, as well as a two-year restraining order for each of the victims.