MAN HARASSED EX FOR 4 YEARS

Philip Goldstraw, 72, could face jail if he continues behaviour

PENSIONER Philip Goldstraw has been warned he faces jail if he continues to harass his ex-partner.

The 72-year-old former university lecturer embarked on a campaign of harassment after his former partner ended their eight-year relationship.

Over a period of about four years the defendant sent his victim several unwanted lengthy letters, texts and emails, left a note on a car, and called her abusive names.

And the behaviour continued despite him being issued with three harassment warning notices.

Now Goldstraw has been sentenced to a 12-month community order with 40 hours unpaid work and a 28day electronically-monitored curfew from 7pm to 6am.

And he was warned by a judge at North Staffordshire Justice Centre that he will go to jail if he breaches the order.

Prosecutor Andrew Bodger said the victim began receiving unwanted texts from the defendant after their relationship ended in September 2014.

Mr Bodger said: “He sent several lengthy letters to her, her daughter and her friend. He sent an email to her manager at her workplace, emails to her work account and her email address. He left a note on a vehicle parked outside her new partner’s house which read, ‘You could have waited.’ He sent a text to her son with abusive names for her.”

The defendant was issued with a first harassment notice in October 2014, followed by a second in 2015 and a third in 2016. But his behaviour continued and he sent her a letter saying he was writing a book about their relationship.

In a victim statement the complainant said she could not cope with the defendant’s behaviour. It did not contain threats but she was frightened by it as he would not leave her alone. She said it has affected her health. She added: “I have suffered it for four years. I feel I cannot get on with my life.”

Goldstraw, of Trent Bridge Close, Trentham Lakes, pleaded guilty to harassment without violence.

Under the restraining order, the defendant is not allowed to have any contact with his victim or visit her Hanford home. It will run until further order.

The defendant, a former university lecturer, told a probation officer he was not given an explanation as to why the victim ended the relationship.

The officer said: “He has tried to get help. He recognises the behaviour is harmful to the victim. He now does recognise the impact on her. He is deeply sorry for it. He is horrified she has been upset by his actions.”

District Judge Kevin Grego told Goldstraw: “This lady said to you a while ago she wanted nothing more to do with you.

“If she decides she no longer wants to be in a relationship it is her decision and not one you can argue with. It has taken you nearly five years to understand that the relationship with her is over.

“If you breach the order you will lose your liberty.”