Barrow Man Given Suspended Sentence Over Facebook Harassment Campaign
A Barrow man has been given a suspended prison sentence after a prolonged campaign of online harassment targeting three people in the Millom area, with police identifying multiple fake social media accounts used during the abuse.
Carl Minnican, from Barrow, was investigated after complaints were made to police about abusive and offensive material being posted online. The investigation centred on activity carried out through Facebook accounts and included both public posts and private direct messages.
Police received the initial complaints in March last year, beginning an investigation into the online activity. Officers subsequently carried out digital enquiries to establish who was behind the accounts and identify the person responsible for the messages and posts.
Investigators identified seven separate Facebook accounts connected to the harassment campaign. More than 170 examples of messages and posts were collected during the investigation, providing officers with substantial material relating to the allegations.
The material included abusive and offensive comments posted on public forums, as well as direct messages sent to individuals. The investigation focused on repeated conduct directed towards three people in the Millom area.
The neighbourhood policing team eventually identified Minnican as a suspect following its digital enquiries. Officers then arrested him on August 21 last year as the investigation progressed.
Minnican later admitted guilt to three charges of harassment at court last month. The admissions related to the offences investigated by police following the complaints about the online activity.
He subsequently appeared in court on August 21 this year for sentencing. The court imposed an 18 week prison sentence, but the sentence was suspended, meaning he was not immediately sent to prison.
As part of the sentence, Minnican was also ordered to undertake alcohol treatment. The requirement forms part of the measures imposed by the court alongside the suspended custodial sentence.
A restraining order was also issued, placing restrictions on Minnican's contact with the complainants. The order prohibits him from contacting four complainants and also prevents him from posting anything on social media relating to them.
The court further ordered Minnican to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activity. He was also required to undertake 100 hours of unpaid work as part of the sentence imposed following his convictions for harassment.
The investigation demonstrates the difficulties police can face when dealing with harassment carried out through multiple online identities. Officers were able to connect the separate Facebook accounts through digital enquiries and compile evidence covering more than 170 messages and posts.
The case also highlights that abusive conduct carried out through social media can result in criminal proceedings where the behaviour meets the legal threshold for harassment. The restrictions imposed by the court are intended to prevent further contact with the complainants and prohibit further social media activity concerning them.
Police have now concluded the investigation following the court proceedings and sentencing. The combination of a suspended custodial sentence, treatment, rehabilitation work, unpaid work and restrictions on contact reflects the range of measures imposed by the court in response to the offences.
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