4 days ago
Former skip hire boss admits stalking his estranged wife
McKinstry and asked the mechanics to download the tracking system of where his wife's vehicle had been
A former director of a multi-million pound skip hire and recycling business today admitted a litany of stalking and breaching court orders to protect his estranged wife.
Due to a bail breach last month 54-year-old Mark McKinstry was remanded into custody so he appeared at Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena, by video link from prison.
Privately funded, senior barrister Barry Gibson KC confirmed the Co. Antrim man was entering guilty pleas to all of the charges on the last two outstanding cases against him.
On six separate bills of indictment McKinstry, from the Belfast Road in Crumlin, has now admitted guilt to a total of 15 offences including eight breaches of a non-molestation order, three counts each of stalking and harassment and a final, single charge of domestic abuse in that he subjected the victim to an abusive court of behaviour which was intended and likely to cause her 'to suffer physical or psychological harm.
McKinstry's offending occurred between 8 May 2024 to 29 March 2025.
None of the background facts were opened today but during earlier court appearances, the prosecution outlined how McKinstry 'put a tracking device' on the victim's Range Rover and contacted her by phone and text to discuss 'a dog, money and the house.'
There was also an incident when, after her Range Rover had been left at a mechanics for a service, McKinstry attended and asked the staff to download the tracking system of where the vehicle had been.
They refused however and alerted the victim to what her husband had done when she collected the car.
Mark McKinstry
News in 90 Seconds - May 27th
At one point McKinstry was freed on bail after a £20,000 cash surety was lodged but his bail was revoked last month after the court heard he had breached conditions by being close to the victim's home in what was 'a deliberate attempt to cause her anxiety and distress.'
In court today, Mr Gibson asked District Judge Nigel Broderick to adjourn passing sentence to allow time for the reparation of a pre-sentence report from the Probation Board.
The judge said that given the number of offences, all of which carry six month maximum prison sentences, 'it's important for probation to have access to the full facts of the case.'
Remanding McKinstry back into custody, he said he would deal with the case on 26 June.
