Man who sent 'menacing' Whatsapp messages spared jail

A 35-year old man who sent "menacing" messages on Whatsapp in Guernsey has been handed a two-month jail term suspended for two years.

Nico Roger Dormer pleaded guilty to sending messages "of a menacing character" to two people when he appeared before Guernsey's Magistrates' Court on 18 May.

The court heard Dormer became upset following the posting of a picture of him in a Facebook group on 15 May, warning that he was possibly dangerous.

The court was previously told he had sent messages on 16 May to the mother of a woman known to him, including a screenshot of threats to stab white people.

Following the posting of his picture in the Facebook group, Dormer sent a message on Whatsapp that said, "I promise everyone will regret this," the court was told.

At his sentencing hearing, Dormer's advocate told the court Dormer had previously been subject to racist abuse while living in England, which he was upset and angry about.

His advocate also explained Dormer wished to go to prison, partly so he could "sort his head".

Judge Perry said that the offences were serious but not the most serious and that Dormer did not get to choose his punishment.

At the time of Dormer's arrest last month, there was speculation online, which Guernsey Police said "amounted to nothing more than misinformation".

Speaking after Dormer's arrest, Chief Officer Damian Kitchen said: "I have been made aware, for example, of comments trying to link this incident and arrest to immigration issues and race.

"These comments are wholly inaccurate, borderline hysterical, and quite frankly unacceptable."

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