CARLISLE MAN FINED AND GIVEN COMMUNITY ORDER FOR HARASSMENT AFTER SENDING HUNDREDS OF UNWANTED MESSAGES
A CARLISLE woman was left frightened by her former partner after he sent her hundreds of unwanted messages over two weeks, a court heard.Mark Cleasby, 44, who admitted harassment without violence, was sentenced at the city’s Rickergate court for the offence, which he committed between February 13 and February 26.
He and the victim had previously been in a relationship.
Prosecutor George Shelley told the court that the woman, who lives in Carlisle, had provided an impact statement in which she spoke of being frightened of Cleasby and his behaviour and about feeling “trapped” by him.
She just wants to be left alone to continue her life without Mr Cleasby in it,” said the prosecutor.
District Judge Philip Holden noted the volume of WhatsApp messages – running into hundreds; and how many of them were sent at night.
From the dock of the court, the defendant, who was not legally represented, said he is now trying to turn his life around and wants no more contact with the woman.
He said: “I just want to apologise; I was not in the right frame of mind.” He is now seeking the help he needs, through the Probation Service and his GP.
The District Judge said the offending was serious, given the many messages that were sent over the two weeks of the harassment offence.
Despite her making it clear she did not want contact with him, he was persistent.
But, bearing in mind his good work ethic, the judge imposed a two-year community order with a requirement to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and ten rehabilitation activity days.
The defendant, of Creighton Avenue, Raffles, Carlisle, was given a restraining order banning any direct contact with his victim, other than through a third party for child contact reasons.
This will be in place for two years.
Cleasby was also banned from going to two streets in Carlisle, including the one where the woman he harassed lives.
He must pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
