Man who sent threatening texts to supervisor released
A Meath man employed with the Revenue Service is to walk free after 21 months in prison, for sending disturbing text messages to his supervisor in which he threatened to rape women.
Derek Leggett of Tara Lawns, Ashbourne sent the woman 17 text messages last year because he had a grievance after his request for a transfer in work was refused.
Mr Leggett sent his supervisor a text with the word “kill'' written five times...in another he wrote “I’m raping my next victim now.”
The 52-year-old clerical officer in the Customs and Excise Department was discovered when his supervisor rang the number from which the texts were sent and recognised his voice.
The court heard Mr Leggett has a lengthy and complex history of mental health and alcohol problems.
Noting his remorse and early plea on an harassment charge, Judge Martin Nolan handed down a three-year custodial sentence most of which he suspended.
The last 21 months were backdated to allow for time already served.
Mr Leggett is to be of good behaviour on his release and he has been ordered to stay away from his victim and her place of work.
