A 50-year-old man has been given a four-month suspended prison sentence after breaching a non-molestation order by repeatedly ringing a woman’s doorbell in the early hours.

Gary McLaughlin, of no fixed address, admitted the breach which occurred on 15 June when he approached the woman’s home at around 3am and pressed the buzzer continuously.

The woman told the court she was left frightened as McLaughlin refused to leave, asking to be let inside but continuing to ring the bell after she declined.

Defence counsel Michael Donaghy stated that the case was not a domestic one, noting that the defendant had previously stayed with the woman but they had separated because of his drinking. He also confirmed there were no threats of violence.

District Judge Suzanne Rice described the offence as more of a nuisance than anything else.

In addition to the suspended two-year term, McLaughlin was ordered to stay away from the area where the woman lives.