Barrister and wife’s ‘campaign of threats against his ex-lover’

A BARRISTER and his wife launched a “campaign of embarrassment and threats” against a young mother after he had an 18-month affair with her, a court heard.

Jonathan Simpson, 48, and Katherine Simpson, 49, a property lawyer, allegedly sent letters to the father of the woman’s child describing her “love” of sexual acts.

Southwark Crown Court heard Mr Simpson turned up at the child’s school to drop leaflets, even though a restraining order had been made against him.

At the time the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had a young child and was pregnant.

David Sapiecha, prosecuting, said the Simpsons had been married for 20 years and were living in Winchester, Hampshire, when the affair began. He said: “That affair ended but Jonathan Simpson continued to contact [the woman]. Despite being verbally warned by the police to desist he continued.”

The barrister was given a harassment order in October 2014 but after he kept contacting the woman a restraining order was put in place, jurors heard. Mr Sapiecha said Mrs Simpson also sent communications just weeks after her husband was given a restraining order, which resulted in her also being given a harassment notice.

He said the couple claim they were “embarking upon a reasonable route intending to gain evidence to prove the woman’s lies in order to have the restraining order overturned”. The prosecution say their actions were, in fact, bullying threats.

The Simpsons, of Winchester, each deny a count of stalking involving serious alarm or distress. Mr Simpson is also charged with breaching a restraining order.

The case continues.