A man and woman who sought out a sex offender at his address and shouted derogatory names at him have been given restraining orders.

Kevin Scott was in his garden at an address in Workington on September 29, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Andrea Phillipson, 41, and Brian McCafferty, 32, arrived and were “instantly hostile” towards him, calling him a child molester and another derogatory term for a sex offender.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said Mr Scott phoned the police and officers arrived at the address. McCafferty called Mr Scott a derogatory name again.

Ms Fee said McCafferty “got in the victim’s face” and said “you are in big trouble”.

The police officer was forced to drag McCafferty away. The defendants moved to a car park around the corner.

They were told by the officer to leave the area but they were both “abusive” and “argumentative”.

McCafferty stated if the police officer wasn’t present, he would “kill him”. Phillipson was shouting about Mr Scott being a paedophile.

The officer informed both suspects that he needed their details due to the alleged threats but McCafferty refused and took up a “fighting stance” to the officer.

When interviewed about the incident, Phillipson said they had gone to a friend’s address and Mr Scott, who was in his garden, had made a comment to them.

She said they had gone home and then returned to the address and met with Mr Scott again.

Phillipson admitted she had shouted a derogatory term for a child sex offender as this was what she had been told by other people.

During interview McCafferty said there had been a verbal altercation prior to the incident.

He admitted using the derogatory term and said he didn’t appreciate Mr Scott calling him a “rat”.

A statement read from the victim said he felt harassed, alarmed and distressed.

He said if the police officer hadn’t been there, McCafferty could have assaulted him.

Mr Scott described the defendants as “bullies” and stated that he just wanted to live his life in peace.

Ms Fee said Mr Scott had recently been in court and a local newspaper had reported the case.

She said the defendants clearly had issues with this and acting towards somebody at their own address in this way was “clearly inappropriate”.

John Cooper, defending, said: “There were admissions in the interview. They have been quite honest.

“Earlier in that day there had been an argument between the female partners. They thought, if you want to talk, let’s go and sort this out.

“They had gone to talk and it deteriorated quite quickly. It was on both sides until police were called. They had carried on in front of police.

“Mr McCafferty has ADHD and autism which explains why he didn’t stop when police arrived.”

Phillipson, of Newlands Gardens, Workington, pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

McCafferty, also of Newlands Gardens, Workington, pleaded guilty to assault by beating of an emergency worker and using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Phillipson was fined £80 and must pay £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge. McCafferty was fined a total of £260 and must pay £85 costs and a £104 victim surcharge.

A restraining order was imposed which bans both defendants from contacting Kevin Scott by any means, or going to his address.

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