Thursday, July 22, 2010
Case# #83 Facebook Harasser Hounds Woman - From Her Own Home
By Karon Kelly(U.K.) A TERRIFIED mum was hounded out of her home by threats made on a social networking site by a woman who had already attacked her.
Danielle Rodgers took her children out of school and moved away from her family and friends because of her fear.
Newcastle Crown Court heard Miss Rodgers had been attacked by Roxanne Fox during a night out with friends in South Shields on January 31.
During the incident, Miss Rodgers was punched in the face up to five times and kicked in the legs as she shouted for help.
The day after the attack, Fox turned up at the home of Miss Rodgers's father and warned she was still "going to get her", the court heard.
In the 48 hours which followed, Miss Rodgers – who was "friends" with Fox on Facebook – received a series of threats on the Internet site.
James Adkin, prosecuting, told the court: "They were arguably vitriolic and definitely contained threats of further violence.
"She said it was going to be a 'hospital job' next time. She would find out where she was living, and that she had been looking for her and that it was not over, essentially."
Fox had attacked Miss Rodgers and her friend Danielle Taylor after a chance meeting as they all left Vogue nightclub in Anderson Street turned into a row.
While Miss Rodgers was punched and kicked, her friend Miss Taylor tried to intervene but was poked in the eye when Fox grabbed at her face.
Meanwhile, Fox's pal Louise Seales hit Miss Rodgers's other friend Judith Elliott over the head with a wine bottle, causing a lump and a cut.
Miss Elliott's daughter Kirsty Laing was also injured in the alteraction.
Fox, 28, of Prince Edward Road, South Shields, admitted affray and harassment.
Seales, 28, of Steward Crescent, South Shields, admitted assault causing bodily harm and common assault.
Gavin Doig, defending mum-of-two Fox, said the Facebook messages continued for just two days after the incident.
Mr Doig said: "They were empty words and nothing more, unpleasant words, but no actions followed from the threats."
Kevin Smallcombe, defending Seales, said the mum-of four has shown remorse.
Mr Recorder Richard Woolfall sentenced Fox to 20 weeks' imprisonment suspended for two years with supervision.
He also made a restraining order banning her from having any contact with Miss Rodgers for five years.
The Judge told Fox: "So bad was the impact on her, she has left her home, her family and her friends because she doesn't feel safe anymore living where she has been for some time."
Seales was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment suspended for two years with supervision.
The judge said: "The pair of you should be absolutely ashamed of yourselves."
Labels: anonymous postings, attack, bully, cyberharassment, facebook, harassment, psychological distress, spoofing, threats
Agent's Notes for: #83 Facebook Harasser Hounds Woman - From Her Own Home
