A man has been banned by a judge from contacting three women who were the subject of homophobic and vicious social media harassment.
Brian Studholme, 49, had sent a string of unwanted Facebook messages and emails to one woman late in 2021 which made derogatory reference to her husband’s membership of a parish council. Negative comments were also made about her business.
Carlisle Magistrates’ Court heard of the profound impact of Studholme’s criminal conduct on that woman. She was left incredibly upset by the content of his communications and the fact that she felt powerless to stop him from being vindictive and vicious.
Attempts to engage with Studholme had been futile, the woman said, who spoke of her health being affected and being left feeling sick and struggling to sleep.
Studholme’s harassment also extended to two other women as he made a series of homophobic comments in relation to them on social media — but directly in reference to them on a public forum.
Studholme, of Blencogo, near Wigton, denied two charges of harassment without violence. He failed to attend his trial and was convicted on both counts by a district judge who heard witness evidence.
He did attend his sentencing hearing today (mon) when he denied being homophobic and spoke of helping in his community since the age of eight.
District Judge John Temperley suspended an 18-week prison sentence for two years. “It caused all of them significant distress, worry and anxiety,” he told Studholme of the three woman. “You are not going to prison today. This sentence is going to be hanging over your head for at least two years.”
Studholme was also banned from having any contact with the three women for two years and from posting any messages about them on social media.
