Offensive texts land woman in court

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A woman accused of bombarding a man with text messages has been told by a judge not to contact the complainant again.

Theresa Anne Johnson appeared in Gisborne District Court on Monday, charged with offensive or disturbing use of a telephone.

Judge Warren Cathcart granted her bail, but with strict conditions forbidding Johnson to associate with or contact the complainant directly or indirectly by any means, including electronic means.

Judge Cathcart warned Johnson any breach of those conditions could see her bail revoked and her remanded into custody.

She is next scheduled to appear at a registrar’s list on November 13.

Little was said in open court about the alleged offending other than it was said to have occurred in a family harm context.

According to Community Law New Zealand, it’s a criminal offence under section 112 of the Telecommunications Act 2001, for someone to use a phone to disturb, annoy, or irritate anyone, if the intention was to offend.

It’s also an offence to use “profane, indecent, or obscene” language over a phone, or to suggest something that’s profane, indecent or obscene, if that is done with the intention to offend.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of up to three months imprisonment or a fine of up to $2000.