A SIMMERING dispute linked to Facebook posts between a woman and her former partner led to a violent confrontation on a street in Carlisle.

The flashpoint came on October 18, 2021, when 39-year-old Louise Proud's partner, Lee Fisher, 26, attacked her former partner in the street, leaving him with four broken ribs and a punctured lung, the city’s crown court heard.

Fisher had denied being the aggressor but on the day his trial was due to start he entered a guilty plea to wounding the man, causing him grievous bodily harm.

In the dock with him were Proud, and her son, 19-year-old Connor Kelly. They both admitted a public order offence.

Kim Whittlestone, prosecuting, outlined the background to the offending, saying that it came after the victim posted content on his Facebook page which Proud and her partner did not agree with.

On the day of the attack, the victim was walking near to his home on Edward Street, Carlisle, near to the junction with Charles Street, when he heard a vehicle behind him, which Proud was driving.

The two male defendants – Fisher and Kelly – ran towards him and as he tried to run away Fisher tripped him up, making him fall. While he was on the ground, Fisher punched him twice to the body and head.

He told the victim to remove his Facebook posts.

The two men then returned to the car as Proud shouted something threatening at him before getting out of the car and yelling at him again. The victim then called the police, naming those who were involved.

Initially, he did not go to hospital but in the early hours he woke because he was struggling to breathe and so called an ambulance.

“He was taken to The Cumberland Infirmary and diagnosed with four broken ribs,” said the prosecutor.

“He also had one punctured lung.”

He spent two days in hospital. Proud later accepted being in the car but she claimed it was the victim who swung the first punch at Fisher. He too denied being the aggressor. Mark Shepherd, for Fisher, said he was a young man of previous good character, with significant mental health issues.

Recorder Paul Hodgkinson accepted there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation for Fisher and imposed 23 weeks custody suspended for a year. The defendant, of Hillary Grove, Carlisle, must complete 30 rehabilitation activity days and a mental health treatment requirement.

Proud, of Waldergrave Road, Carlisle, was given a 12-month community order, with 30 rehabilitation activity days.

Kelly, also of Waldergrave Road, Carlisle, was given a 12-month community order, with 15 rehabilitation activity days and 100 hours of unpaid work.

The male defendants were given restraining orders, banning any contact with the victim for the next five years.