‘I can’t face opening my curtain now’
Stalker jailed for breaching restraining order
STALKER Stephen Parker sent his ex a string of messages after he refused to accept their relationship was over.
The 54-year-old had been with his partner for four years before they split up.
And he was convicted of harassment and made the subject of a 12-month restraining order which prevented him contacting her.
But soon after he breached the order by sending her a series of letters and messages.
Stoke-on-trent Crown Court heard the unwanted attention caused the victim anxiety and distress.
Now Parker has been sentenced to 11 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and made the subject of a three-year restraining order.
Prosecutor Nick Tatlow said the defendant was convicted of harassment and made the subject of a restraining order on October 27 which prevented him contacting her or going to her street in Cheadle.
But he continued to contact her and in late November he sent her a hand-written letter telling her she was the love of his life and that he wanted to marry her and for them to move away together.
She also received a Christmas card which contained a note written by the defendant. It read, ‘Love you, always will. This is killing me. I am yours. It is me and you. Love me again.’
The victim became concerned about the contact and from December 22 she received a series of messages.
Mr Tatlow said: “None of them were threatening but spoke of his desire to rekindle the relationship. “He sent her a bag of shopping which she found on the doorstep. He sent her a message on the evening of December 22 saying he had sent the food parcel. “He sent messages including, ‘I am trying to get us together again. I love you so much.’
“At 12.21am he said, ‘Babe, I love you, please message me back.’
“It caused her a great deal of distress and anxiety and she had to keep her curtains closed.”
In a victim statement the woman said: “I can’t face opening my curtains for fear of seeing him outside or him being able to see me inside.”
In his police interview the defendant admitted sending his son to drop off the groceries.
Parker, of Mill Grove, Cheadle, pleaded guilty to section 2a stalking and breaching a restraining order. Jason Holt, mitigating, said there was nothing threatening in the messages. He said there was some indication the victim had suffered a stroke which is why the defendant sent her a food parcel via his son.
Mr Holt said: “He has come to the realisation that the relationship is now over.” He said the defendant has spent seven weeks in custody. He has his own mortgage and could lose his house if he remains in prison.
As part of the suspended sentence Parker must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for up to 30 days and an alcohol treatment requirement for six months.
Judge Paul Glenn told Parker: “I am told you accept the relationship is over. If that is the case and you moderate your drinking I suspect the risk of you re-offending is relatively low.”
He has come to the realisation that the relationship is now over
Jason Holt mitigating