A NORTH Cumbrian man who was under suspicion of subjecting two women to “homophobic” harassment asked the police officer interviewing him if she was a lesbian.

Brian Studholme, 49, raised the issue after he posted a series of Facebook messages which focused on the the sexuality of the women involved, Carlisle's Rickergate court was told.

At one stage, the court heard, he even appeared to invite Taliban extremists who were hunting down and persecuting gay people in Afghanistan to Blencogo Village Hall to find the women.

Studholme, from Blencogo, denied two allegations of “harassment without violence” – including one which was homophobically aggravated. He was found guilty of both offences after he failed to attend his own trial.

The first charge was that the defendant “pursued a course of conduct” which amounted to the harassment of two named women in that he made “homophobically aggravated comments about them on social media.”

The second charge stated that he harassed a third woman, making unwanted contact with her about her husband resigning from a parish council and thereafter making “malicious comments” about her Alpaca breeding business.

Prosecutor Andy Travis quizzed one of the two women who suffered what prosecutors say were homophobic comments from Studholme.

The woman, who is secretary of Blencogo Village Hall, said Studholme was a stranger to her, though he had previously had a “run in” with her partner. “He started making comments about our relationship,” said the woman, saying Studholme made derogatory comments about both her and her partner.

One of Studholme’s comments, she said, seemed to accuse her and her partner of “trying to convert” another woman to become LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender).

The court heard that Studholme posted a news screenshot on his page about the Taliban’s persecution of the LGBT community in Afghanistan, with the comment suggesting "come and get them – they’re in Blencogo Village Hall.”

The woman said there had been no LGBT events in the Village Hall.

The woman said the defendant’s posts had left her feeling anxious about going to the Village Hall, knowing that Studholme lived next door. The woman’s partner also gave evidence, referring to Studholme’s Facebook comments.

In one, he remarked: “What’s happening to our once good village hall committee members.” He also claimed that he was “not against lesbian people” but added that he did not expect them to be “in his face.”

His various comments had made her feel upset, worried and scared and she felt nervous about her partner going to the Village Hall, said he woman.

During his lengthy police interview, Studholme asked the interviewing officer about her sexuality on "a number of occasions," asking whether she was lesbian, said Mr Travis. He also said he would have the officer sacked.

After hearing evidence, District Judge John Temperley found Studholme guilty of both offences. He issued an arrest warrant for the defendant.