Carlisle man, 30, called his ex 83 times in two weeks

At the city's Rickergate court, Mark Anthony Presley, 30, admitted an offence of harassment without violence on November 3, 2020 in Carlisle.

He pleaded guilty to a similar offence, committed between August 29 and September 12, 2020 at Newcastle and Whitehaven.

In the November offence, he court heard, he pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the harassment of his former partner when he continually contacted her by phone and text messages.

George Shelley, prosecuting, outlined how Presley made numerous calls to his ex-partner - some 83 calls in two week. He also made threats to harm her.

The defendant also sent more than 90 threatening messages to a close relative, the court heard.

The woman had already told him not to phone her at work.

Magistrates were told some of the calls were made while Presley was in a mental health facility, firstly in Newcastle and then in Whitehaven.

John Smith, defending, said the defendant was dealing with genuine mental health issues.

He had suffered a breakdown when a relationship with his now ex-partner ended.

Most of the calls were to do with contact with his family.

After lengthy deliberations, magistrates sentenced Presley to a community order and an eight week tagged curfew, to run each day between 7pm to 7am.

For the offence involving his former partner, he was fined £80. He must also pay prosecution costs of £170 and a £95 victim surcharge.

Magistrates imposed a restraining order, banning any contact with his ex-partner for a year.

The court was told that Presley, currently living at Prescott Road, Longsowerby, is expected to move soon to Cumberland Court, Carlisle.

Magistrates were told that he was already on an community order and was working with the Probation Service.

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