Jailed for stalking his ex

THE boss of school transport company Munro’s Minibuses and Munro’s Taxis, who has contracts with local schools in the area, has been jailed for stalking his ex-girlfriend.

A SUCCESSFUL businessman has been jailed for stalking his ex-girlfriend only weeks after being hit with a restraining order.

School transport company boss Stephen Munro repeatedly confronted his former partner after their four-year relationship ended, a court heard.

The 45-year-old caused “significant psychological harm” to ex-girlfriend Valerie Powell, who he was said to be “besotted” with.

A court heard Munro persisted in following his 55-year-old ex-girlfriend even after being warned off by police.

Munro owns taxi firm Munro’s Taxi and also Munro’s Minibuses and he has contracts with local schools in the area.

But Swansea Crown Court heard he was jailed for eight days over Christmas 2015 after Ms Powell ended their four-year romance the previous June.

He was later given a suspended sentence and a restraining order with instructions not to contact his ex after pleading guilty to harassing her.

But within the same month he continued his stalking, approaching her outside her home and also at her local park while she walked her dog between January and May last year.

Father of three Munro denied he was still stalking Ms Powell when police accused him of breaking the terms of his 50-day suspended sentence but he was found guilty after a trial at Swansea Crown Court.

James Hartson, defending Munro, said the transport boss had built up a “successful business” in Bridgend.

Mr Hartson said: “His is one of three major transport companies in that area and he has a number of contracts with the local authority and educational authorities.

“He’s potentially placed the employment of some, if not all, of his 20 drivers in peril.”

Judge Daniel Hale said it was “plain as a pikestaff” Ms Powell had suffered at the hands of her ex’s stalking.

He told Munro: “You’re a man in your 40s – not some lovelorn teenager.

“She clearly wanted to lead an independent life. But you were besotted with her.

“There was no violence but it must have been unpleasant.

“She to your knowledge was a vulnerable person. She’s damaged by what’s happened to her.

“People in relationships which come to an end in the world every day can’t be harassed like you have this girl.”

Munro, from Aberkenfig, Bridgend, was sentenced to a year and a half in prison and had his restraining order extended to include streets around Ms Powell’s home.

He was also ordered to pay £150 in a victim surcharge.