A Penrith man has been jailed for stalking of his on-off partner for many weeks which, a court heard, left her feeling unsafe and terrified.
Glen Adrian, 26, of Skiddaw View, met the woman while she was working as an escort and the pair then began a relationship.
This was ended by the woman and she attempted to put distance herself and Adrian. But he bombarded her with messages and turned up at her home unannounced.
On one date in November, the woman was told he was on a bridge. “He texted her, saying she was the only one who could stop him from jumping,” prosecutor Pamela Fee told Carlisle Magistrates’ Court today.
Adrian also made threats of suicide later in the month, saying it was either the bridge or the railway.
In an impact statement, the woman said a number of her medical conditions had been made significantly worse by his offending. She was frightened of him returning to her home and “terrified” to answer the door. “I can’t switch off at night. I do not feel safe,” she had stated.
Adrian admitted stalking between October 17 and November 28, and causing criminal damage to the cage of a police van after being detained.
When interviewed, Adrian accepted he knew she hadn’t wanted contact from him.
District Judge John Temperley jailed Adrian for 10 weeks, calling his conduct persistent and adding: “There were all types of manipulation used and I have heard all about the harm on her. She is particularly vulnerable.”
However, the district judge also noted the contents of a background report which referred to the defendant’s own mental health issues. Those, concluded Mr Temperley, probably impacted on his behaviour.
A two-year restraining order was also imposed which prohibits Adrian contacting the woman directly or indirectly.