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A County Durham man has admitted using a public communications network to cause annoyance and anxiety on two separate occasions.
John Longstaff, of Fairclough Court, Peterlee, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on August 10.
He pleaded guilty to two offences of persistently making use of a public electronic communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, or needless anxiety, in breach of the Communications Act 2003.
The first offence took place on May 19, and the second between June 2, 2026, and July 9, 2026, both in Peterlee.
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Longstaff was given a community order until August 9, 2027, which includes attending up to 12 days of activities or appointments with a responsible officer.
He must pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £114 victim services surcharge.
Payment will be deducted from benefits, with the full sum due in 14 days.