Dating agency link to disturbing text messages

From: Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand - May 7, 2003

A Christchurch woman using a dating agency later received disturbing telephone text messages from someone she met through the service.

Garth Mark Paterson, 43, admitted charges of using a telephone to disturb and driving with excess breath alcohol when he appeared in Christchurch District Court yesterday.

Sergeant Paul Brocas said Paterson and the woman had arranged to meet in Christchurch's Botanic Gardens, but soon went their separate ways. Next day, Paterson had left several disturbing text messages on the complainant's cellphone.

In an unrelated incident, Paterson had been picked up by police for drink-driving, giving a high reading of 1092mcg.

Defence counsel Colin Eason said Paterson was significantly deaf, as was the woman he met through the dating agency. He had felt rejected after the meeting.

Judge David Holderness fined Paterson $1750 on the excess breath alcohol matter and disqualified him from driving for 10 months.

On the charge of using a telephone to disturb he was fined $250.

© Independent Newspapers Limited 2003.