A COUNCILLOR has opened up on the 'heartbreaking' abuse she received referring to the death of her late father.

Allison Johnston spoke out after a man was made the subject of a restraining order following abuse published on social media close to the anniversary of his death.

Defendant Mohammad Ramzan admitted a charge of harassment without violence against Cllr Johnston and her brother Michael Burns when he appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court.

She said Ramzan had published a live video on Facebook referring to the death of her father, former councillor Les Burns, who drowned in Morecambe Bay in 1997.

Ramzan, 41, pleaded guilty to the charge, admitting that he posted abusive videos on Facebook on September 19.

Mrs Johnston, who represents Barrow Island for Barrow Council, said the incident happened two days after the anniversary of her father going missing.

She said Ramzan said in a Facebook video that her father had deliberately taken his own life to 'get away' from the family.

Opening on the abuse following the hearing, Mrs Johnston said: "There was abuse throughout the day.

"He published a live video in regards to my late father.

"He indicated that he had deliberately taken his own life to get away from us."

Mrs Johnston said her father had gone missing in 1997 and had drowned in an accident near Piel Island. His body was discovered two weeks later.

She said: "We've never got over it as a family.

"He brought it all up a couple of days after the anniversary .

"It was a really awful tragedy and he's used that to get at us.

"It's absolutely disgusting and heartbreaking."

Mrs Johnston said the abuse came during the 'worst time our life'.

She is the mother of Ellie Williams, who has been charged with perverting the course of justice and is due to stand trial later this year.

Ramzan, of Douglas Street on Walney, was sentenced to fine of £270 for the offence.

The court also imposed a restraining order banning him from contacting either of the victims for the next 12 months.

On top of that the court ordered Ramzan to pay a £34 surcharge to fund victim services and prosecution costs of £135.

Reacting to the sentence, Mrs Johnston said she was pleased that Ramzan would not be able to post any live videos about her.

"They disturb me more than anything," she said.