A MAN alarmed a woman by sending an "unpleasant" message on social media, a court heard.

The Leader has reported over recent weeks on the conviction and sentence of Buckley man Jamie Mitchell for the murder of 23-year-old Steven Wilkinson in the town on October 4 last year.

It was an incident which was immediately preceded by criminal damage at the home where Mitchell lived with his mother, Jaqueline Mitchell.

During the course of the trial, it was made clear that Steven Wilkinson was not responsible for the criminal damage - his friend Dylan Ashfield, and another man, was.

Ashfield, aged 25 and of Powell Road in Buckley, was convicted and sentenced for the damage earlier this year.

But he appeared at Mold Magistrates Court on Thursday morning charged with a further offence connected to the Mitchell home - this time occurring more than a month after the murder.

Ashfield admitted that on November 25, he sent via snapchat a message which was grossly offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing in character.

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Julia Galston, prosecuting, told the court that on the date of the offence, Jaqueline Mitchell gave a statement to police saying she had been contacted by someone as a result of a message sent by Ashfield.

In the message, which he sent to a third party, he talked about smashing up Mitchell's home and said he hoped Jamie Mitchell was being "raped every day" in his cell.

Jaqueline Mitchell said the comments made her feel "really nervous" in her own home and caused her to struggle to sleep.

Mike Pugh, defending, said: "The message itself is sent one month after the murder of his best friend - [who is also] his partner's brother.

"Clearly he wasn't in a good headspace at that time. Tensions were heightened.

"But he fully accepts it is unpleasant in nature.

"It was something said in the heat of the moment.

"He tells me that with insight he would have sought counselling sooner."

Probation officer Andrew Connah told the court: "He tells me on reflection, it was extremely stupid of him to send the message.

The Leader:

"At the time his behaviour was fuelled by alcohol, but he makes no excuse."

Nicholas Colbourne, chair of the bench, told Ashfield: "It was a nasty message, no doubt about it."

He handed down an 18 month community order with 160 hours of unpaid work.

Ashfield must pay a £114 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

He was also made the subject of a two year restraining order prohibiting him from approaching or contacting Jaqueline Mitchell or her home.