A KESWICK man who was trying to settle a £1,600 drugs debt has admitted possessing cannabis and sending his former partner an offensive message.

Lewis James Brown, 21, admitted the offences when he appeared before Carlisle's Rickergate court. Prosecutor Nicole Bridgman said the defendant committed the two offences on April 26 after arriving in Carlisle shortly after 8pm and taking a taxi to the victim’s address.

He then became annoyed and went to a local park, from where he continued to send the woman unpleasant WhatsApp messages, asking that she hand over the money which he needed to settle the debt.

“She refused,” said Ms Bridgman.

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Brown sent more “voice-note” messages, verbally abusing the woman. After this, in an attempt to settle their differences, the two met in the beer garden of a local pub.

“He was still quite erratic,” said the prosecutor. “But his friends intervened and led the defendant away. She reported the matter to the police at 2am on April 27 and the defendant was arrested.”

The court heard that the defendant had previously admitted a battery offence against the same woman in March of last year.

Anthony Wilson, for Brown, of St Kentigern Close, Keswick, said the cannabis offence involved only £30 worth of the drug which the defendant had for his personal use. The lawyer said: “He denies asking her for any money."

Mr Wilson said the defendant did admit sending the woman a message which included calling her [an insulting name]. The other message he accepted sending was the one threatening to smash the woman's windows.

The lawyer added: “But immediately after he sent it he thought better of it and apologised. So there was immediate remorse and an apology for doing what he did.”

The defendant, who works as a scaffolder, was fined £300 with costs of £85 and a victim surcharge.  

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