A CARLISLE man harassed his partner with scores of phone calls as she tried to block contact with him.

Fifty-year-old Thomas Foster found himself in a court dock for the first time as a result of offending which occurred during the course of over a month earlier this year.

This was between April 23 and May 30, with details outlined by prosecutor Graeme Tindall at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court.

“The parties met in the Philippines in 2011 and moved to England in 2015 but separated in 2023,” said Mr Tindall.

“Basically since the separation there have been 154 phone calls from Mr Foster, most of which have been blocked and she hasn’t heard the content of any of the calls.

“There has been the odd occasion when she has unblocked (Foster) to hear what it being said.

"It is fair to say there is nothing sinister.”

Foster appeared to express “devastation” that his partner had not been frank about income, the court heard.

“It is the persistence of the calls that is the nature of the offence and not the content,” said Mr Tindall.

Foster, of Currock Road, Carlisle, admitted harassment and was sentenced today (Friday).

The woman had provided an impact statement in which she described her upset at the relationship breakdown and its impact, but had made no direct reference to the phone calls.

Defence lawyer Nick Kennon said Foster had admitted his guilt at the first opportunity, having made fulsome admissions while co-operating with police in the aftermath.

Foster was employed as a ropes access supervisor, a responsible job.

“He is fastidious in his approach when there is an issue. It has to be resolved to the best of his ability,” said Mr Kennon as he offered mitigation for the offence.

“There are cultural differences,” he added of the pair.

Foster was made subject to a 12-month community order comprising a rehabilitation requirement and 100 hours’ unpaid work. He was also banned from contact with the woman under the terms of a two-year restraining order.