Man jailed after setting up fake Facebook profile to harass ex-girlfriend's new partner
A man who was given a restraining order to stop him contacting his ex-girlfriend set up a fake Facebook account to abuse her, a court has heard.
After being arrested and bailed for the offence Edmund Welsby, who has Asperger syndrome, then went on to contact a relative of the woman.
At Shrewsbury Crown Court the 22-year-old from St George’s Street, Shrewsbury, was given a six-month jail sentence and told he would have to serve half in prison before being subject to a 12-month supervision order.
Judge Peter Barrie told Welsby: “It was a stupid thing to do and acting like you did can cause a great deal of stress and unhappiness.”
Welsby admitted at earlier hearings in the magistrates' court two counts of harassment and breaching a restraining order.
Mr Jamie Scott, prosecuting, told the court that in the past there had been repeated breaches of the restraining order, which is in force until 2026.
When Welsby discovered the identity of his former girlfriend’s new partner he set up a fake Facebook account and messaged the man with repeated abuse and name calling.
He was arrested and bailed but soon after contacted a relative of the woman.
Mr Scott said some of the messages were sinister and could have been seen as threatening.
For Welsby, Mr Steven Scully, said his client’s Asperger’s meant he saw everything in black and white.
"When he was told he could not make direct contact he did not realise he could not make indirect contact or know that the people he contacted would tell her,” Mr Scully said.
