Student allegedly made online posts about wishing rape and death on a woman to get her attention, court told

A Belfast student allegedly made online posts about wishing rape and death on a woman in a bid to get her attention, the High Court has heard.

Arlo Kilpatrick is accused of a campaign of stalking which also involved recording dozens of love songs and publishing a photograph of himself outside the victim’s home.

The 21-year-old was granted bail after a judge warned of the consequences for any such “sinister” activity.

Mr Justice Paul McLaughlin said: “This is a disgraceful and shocking means of communication which must be thoroughly condemned in light of the terrifying effect on the victim.”

Kilpatrick, of Florenceville Avenue in the city, faces charges of stalking and threatening communications on March 28.

The court heard police were initially alerted last June after the complaint discovered her TikTok videos and associated sexual fantasies had appeared on a men’s self-improvement website.

Despite joining the forum and asking Kilpatick to stop posting about her, he allegedly continued the campaign before taking a photo outside her home.

Messages posted on the site included: “She’s an evil b***h”, “I hope she dies”, “rape and murder on my mind 24/7”, and “I support the rape and killing of women in real life”.

It was further claimed he recorded more than 30 songs about the woman, uploading them on Youtube and music streaming platform SoundCloud.

During interviews Kilpatrick stated his intention was to “p*** her off”.

Opposing bail, prosecution counsel argued: “He accepted wishing death upon the complainant and wishing she was raped, and that he wanted her to see the posts and suffer from stress.”

Defence barrister Kelly Doherty disputed previous assertions that the comments were made on an Incel website.

She argued that the initial communication had been part of a “love-hate relationship” which involved no direct threats.

“Obviously things took a darker turn in the last number of weeks,” Ms Doherty said.

“If he put up very outrageous material he would get her attention and she would then contact him.”

Expressing astonishment at Kilpatrick’s alleged motives, Mr Justice McLaughlin responded: “I can’t imagine any woman would welcome that type of attention from any man in any circumstances.”

Granting bail, however, the judge said he had been reassured by the defendant’s parents attending court to offer their support.

The Ulster University student was ordered to live at an address outside Belfast, banned from any contact with the victim and prohibited from accessing online forums.

Mr Justice McLaughlin warned him: “Whatever erroneous and misconceived impression you may have had that this was a forum where anything could be said without consequences must immediately be dispelled from your mind. It has no place in our society.

“The attitude that threats of death and threats of rape directed against women by men is in any shape or form an acceptable means of communication is utterly wrong.”