A West Cumbrian man who illegally sent his former partner a Facebook friend request has been given another prison sentence by a judge.
Early last year, Lee Brian Cogan, 38, was jailed for two years and barred from contacting the woman indefinitely. Cogan had launched a vicious assault on the female — the mother of his son — in central Whitehaven.
Carlisle Crown Court heard he attacked her with punches having grabbed and pulled her hair, and then made a chilling threat to kill her while on bail. She suffered cuts to her mouth, significant swelling to her left cheekbone and underwent hospital treatment.
In mid-January this year, Cogan was released from prison on licence having served half his sentence. But weeks later, while living in a Carlisle hostel, he sent the woman a Facebook friend request — in flagrant breach of the restraining order — from an account bearing his photo, using a pay as you go mobile phone he had acquired.
The woman took screenshots and told police Cogan’s illegal act made her feel sick, upset and angry; and also unsafe because, she stated: “He is so unpredictable.” She added: “I want to be left alone.”
When quizzed by police, Cogan denied sending the request and sought to heap blame on his ex.
But forensic work by detectives provided damning evidence he had committed the offence.
Cogan admitted flouting the order when brought back to the crown court, where he was sentenced today. His lawyer said the conduct had been inappropriate as he sought to obtain family photographs.
But the judge, Recorder Julian Shaw, told Cogan he initially told police a cock and bull story and a pack of lies. “It must have been obvious this was a clear breach of the court’s order,” said Recorder Shaw.
Cogan, formerly of Harrington, near Workington, was given a 12-week jail term but remains behind bars until January next year in any event as he completes his previous sentence. He remains subject to the restraining order.
