Teen tried to take her life after man, 41, harassed her

A girl aged 13 tried to take her life following "24/7" harassment by a man, aged 41, a court has heard.

Terence Weldredge, now 43, will be sentenced on July 31 for harassment, sexual exploitation and sending menacing messages to the girl.

Over a two-day period he attempted to contact her 273 times. Weldredge, of Castlekevin Rd, Coolock, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three offences between September 2011 and January 2012.

The girl said Weldredge harassed her “24/7” and she could not sleep or concentrate at school because of him. She described how she attempted to take her life but was saved when her brother found her.

The court heard Weldredge also tried to take his life after being caught.

Garda Katie Flood told the court the child got a text from Weldredge in September 2011. He said he had found her number written on a bus and that he was aged 15. The two began texting and she sent him a picture of herself at his request. He began to ask her for phone sex and sent pictures of his penis.