Restraining order for man acquitted of harassment

A HUNGERFORD man has been acquitted of bombarding two separate women with unwanted gifts, work visits and invitations – but then made subject to a restraining order.

On Wednesday, December 8, former town business owner Ashley Gilchrist Dunbar appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court to answer the charges.

The 56-year-old, who lives in a flat in Foundry House, Kennet Way, was accused of pursuing a course of conduct which amounted to the harassment of one woman by giving her unwanted gifts, inviting her to a party, offering to drive her to work, saying he had seen her on television and repeatedly driving past her place of work, slowly, despite being banned from that place.

Mr Dunbar, who was not present at an earlier hearing where the charges were laid, was also accused of pursuing a similar course of conduct which amounted to the harassment of a second woman.

He is said to have given her unwanted gifts, asked her personal questions regarding her hours of work, studies and safety issues, invited her to a party and tried to approach her in her employer’s car park, despite being banned from her place of work.

Both offences were said to have been committed in Newbury between May 1 last year and Monday, February 1.

Mr Dunbar, who had pleaded not guilty to both offences, was told that they would both be discontinued.

Nevertheless, he was made subject to a restraining order preventing him from contacting both women, either directly or indirectly.

He is further forbidden, by the terms of the order, from going to the Marks & Spencer store in Newbury Retail Park.

The order will last until June 7, 2022.