A former soldier who terrorized his ex-girlfriend by breaking into her home to steal her pet dog has been sentenced to 11 months in custody.
Gerald Verner, 37, of Inverary Avenue in Belfast, was convicted following a contested trial at Belfast Magistrates’ Court. The court heard how the Royal Irish Regiment veteran subjected his victim to a campaign of harassment, including death threats and a barrage of misogynistic online abuse.
The offenses stemmed from a September incident at a property in the Carrickfergus area. Verner broke into the home and stole a French Bulldog, along with cash, bank cards, and a purse. During the trial, the court heard a harrowing 999 call placed by the victim, who expressed desperate fears that the defendant would kill her dog.
While Verner attempted to justify his actions by claiming he had entered the property merely to “rescue” the animal, District Judge Anne Marshall rejected his narrative. She branded him a “repeated domestic abuser” who acted with the sole intention of keeping the victim in a state of constant fear.
“You used multiple forms of abuse, breaking into her house, taking her dog, putting up messages about her and threatening that you wouldn’t be in prison forever,” Judge Marshall stated during sentencing. She further highlighted the scale of his abuse, noting the use of dehumanizing slurs online that the court deemed too offensive to repeat.
The court proceedings also cast doubt on claims regarding Verner’s military history. While he had previously cited his service in Iraq and Afghanistan—and a significant injury from an improvised explosive device (IED) in Helmand Province—as contributing factors to his mental state, probation reports revealed a stark disconnect from his official records. Contrary to his claims of an honorable discharge, records indicated he had been sent to a military detention center following multiple periods of unauthorized absence.
“There are some places where your instructions are rather at odds with records,” the judge observed.
In addition to the 11-month jail term, Judge Marshall imposed a five-year Violent Offences Prevention Order (VOPO) to ensure public safety. Under the strict terms of the order, Verner is prohibited from contacting the victim and must disclose details of any new relationships to his risk manager. The judge issued a stern warning that any further mention of the woman on social media would result in an immediate return to court.
Following the sentencing, Verner was granted leave to appeal his conviction and sentence, though he was denied release on bail. Judge Marshall concluded by commending the victim for her immense courage in testifying and delivering an impact statement that the court described as “moving.”
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