A 30-year-old man from Drummuck Road in Maghera received a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, at Magherafelt Magistrates Court. Kyle Rainey pleaded guilty to sending menacing messages via an electronic network, possessing a prohibited taser, issuing a death threat, and threatening property damage.

The charges stemmed from an incident on June 12, 2023. A farmer shot a dog worrying sheep on his land. After taking the dog to Rainey's property, the farmer faced verbal abuse and a threat to kill from Rainey. Rainey also spoke to the partner of the farmer's son and threatened to burn the property.

Rainey posted on a social media page named after the dog, stating the farmer had shot it. This led to abusive threats against the farmer. He shared Snapchat videos that were threatening and abusive. One video showed him addressing someone, activating a taser, bought online.

District Judge Conor Heaney noted the actions caused intentional distress and met the custody threshold. Suspension accounted for time passed and lack of repeat offences. Rainey must pay 500 pounds compensation to each affected person and obey a two-year restraining order. Breach would result in jail.

Separate convictions included a 200-pound fine plus levy for cannabis possession on December 12, 2024, and 165 pounds plus three penalty points for vehicle offences on July 26, 2024.