HUSBAND HOUNDED SINGER AFTER SHE ASKED FOR DIVORCE
COURT ISSUES RESTRAINING ORDER
A SINGER told a court how she is living in fear of her estranged ex-manager spouse after being hounded following the break up of their year-long marriage.
The woman was bombarded with emails and text messages by 52-year promoter Princess Purple Watkins after she asked for a divorce.
Over a 12-month period, Watkins, who now identifies as a woman, sent dozens of emails and text messages.
One read: “I never kissed anyone since being with you.” Another said: “Jealousy will destroy you.”
Police issued a warning notice, but the emails and texts continued until Watkins was charged to appear before the courts.
In a statement, Watkins’ partner said: “I am dreading that he could turn up to the door one day.
“I have had to stop my college course and I am constantly on edge and scared by the actions. I do not want any contact with Purple, but he won’t sign the divorce papers.
“I do feel it is stopping me from progressing in my future.
“I had to hide my Facebook and he kept messaging my friends and commenting on my photos. I have managed to hide all this from the children.”
At Manchester magistrates court, Watkins, of Pendlebury, Salford, admitted a charge of harassment without violence between November 2016 and November 2017.
Watkins was handed an eight-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, banned for contacting the woman for two years under the terms of a restraining order and forbidden from entering her home city.
The court also ordered Watkins to pay £200 in costs.
Magistrates earlier heard Watkins was the woman’s manager and agent.
In a statement read to the court, Crown Prosecution Service chiefs said: “There is some history behind the charges. A notice was put in place on February 29, 2016 and issued for 12 months.
“The defendant sent [the woman] messages over text and email, including some saying ‘jealousy will destroy you’ and ‘don’t use the kids against me.’
“On September 9, the defendant sent a message saying ‘I never kissed anyone since being with you.’
“Watkins made references to the children and contact in most of the messages. The defendant sent many emails over a period of months. The complainant said a lot of the messages would involve sarcasm.’’
In mitigation, Watkins’ defence lawyer Miss Abigail Henry said: “There is significant history to this case.
“The defendant was interviewed by the police in Manchester, and pleaded guilty to magistrates by post.
“She was summoned to court on December 5, 2018. She has been in hospital over this time having problems with her mental health.
‘’A restraining order will be put in place. She is of the mindset at this moment that she will rekindle with her children when they are adults. She is currently receiving employment allowance.’’
Sentencing Watkins, District Judge Mark Hadfield said: “Serious harm was caused to the victim and she has had to make changes to her lifestyle and social media.
“I know you have been going through an awful lot, especially in relation to your mental health.
“I won’t move away from the fact that despite difficulties, you are not the victim. The victim is someone you had a relationship with and for reasons you know you have bombarded her with communications that were not wanted over a lengthy period of time.
“You caused her a significant degree of stress. She wasn’t able to continue with her college course and had to make changes to her social media.”