WHILE social media has lots of benefits, shaping how we live and work today, using these platforms inappropriately can lead to court and convictions.

Harassment, breaching restraining orders and offensive messages are some of the ways these communication sites have been used in and around Wiltshire recently, resulting in fines, sentences and unpaid work orders. 

Following the shut down of major platforms Facebook, Whatsapp and Instagram earlier this week, below are six court cases which involved either these sites or a mobile phone.

These concluded cases were heard at Salisbury Law Courts within the last six months.

MARK ANTHONY WITHERIDGE, aged 52, of Whatcombe Brow, Orcheston, Salisbury, pleaded guilty to pursuing a course of conduct which amounted to the harassment of a woman. Between February 6 and April 13 he continually posted messages about a relationship he had with her. Witheridge also pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer by beating on April 14. He was sent to prison for 20 weeks and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £128. A restraining order was also imposed.

SHANNON LEAH TIFFANY ELKINS, aged 26, of Cook Court, Bishopdown, was found guilty of sending Facebook messages to a woman on September 4 last year which were indecent or grossly offensive, for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety. She was found guilty of assaulting the same woman. Elkins was committed to prison for 10 weeks suspended for 12 months and was ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work. She was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £128 and costs of £310. A restraining order is in force until July 2022.

ELLIOTT SHANE VOWLES, aged 20, of The Spur, Westbury, indicated a plea of guilty to breaching a restraining order by messaging a woman and meeting her between June 30 and July 8. He was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £95 and costs of £85. He was ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work and must attend appointments and activities as instructed by an officer.

SHANE ALLEN, aged 32, of Lady Mead, Swindon, indicated a plea of guilty to contacting a woman via Facebook messenger between November 6, 2020, and May 10 of this year, despite a restraining order imposed by Swindon Magistrates’. Allen was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £95 and costs of £85. He was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

ELIZABETH ROSE LINDSAY, aged 29, of Abbotts Court, Westbury, pleaded guilty to harassment without violence. Between February 15 and March 12 Lindsay made excessive and unwanted telephone calls to the victim, as well as creating a fake Facebook account to make contact with him. Lindsay also sent the victim unwanted messages on a dating site. She was discharged conditionally for 12 months and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £22 and costs of £85.

MATTHEW GRAHAME JENKINS, aged 30, of Queens Way, Melksham, indicated a plea of guilty to sending a woman Facebook posts on June 16 that conveyed a message which was indecent or grossly offensive, for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety. Jenkins pleaded guilty to intentionally damaging a door belonging to Wiltshire Police on June 13. He was fined £846 and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £84 and costs of £85.

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