A woman thought a Penrith man may have intentions of murder after he warned in a menacing Facebook message of her being top of his list, a court heard.
On August 24, Xander Cossey, 22, had made direct online contact with the woman, who later told police she did not even know him.
In that message, Cossey made reference to reports that she had harmed a dog and a pensioner, adding that she was top of my list. “You can take this as a threat”, he warned the woman.
She later spoke of being scared by the contact and believing the list reference could mean he had intentions of murder.
Cossey also made reference to the woman as he publicly shared a Facebook post and had called her a tramp, prosecutor Andy Travis told Carlisle Magistrates’ Court.
She had said in response: “To be called a tramp on a public platform when he does not know me was very distressing.”
Appearing in the dock, Cossey, of Mary Langley Way, Penrith, admitted a charge of sending an offensive Facebook communication.
Duncan Campbell, giving mitigation, said Cossey had initially made a public Facebook appeal for help after his own dog had been poisoned.
This had prompted a weird response from the woman, which in turn led to Cossey’s regrettable criminal contact. The list reference clearly didn’t suggest any kill intent, added Mr Campbell.
Magistrates asked for a probation officer to interview Cossey before passing sentence. After they heard that report he was handed an eight-week jail term which was suspended for 12 months. Cossey must also undergo 25 days’ rehabilitation under probation service supervision.
