A stalker located his ex-partner through Snapchat maps after she went on an Eden Valley holiday and then “tried to swerve her car off the road”.
Joe Morrissey (23), was said by his barrister at Carlisle Crown Court to have committed “foolish” acts after the end of a two-year relationship with his first love.
While staying in the Langwathby area with a new partner in May, the woman received a phone call and messages from Morrissey.
He indicated that he was in the Eden area and wished to talk. And on 21st May, as the woman and her partner left for home, they approached the main A686 and saw Morrissey in his van nearby.
Morrissey turned and followed the woman’s vehicle “bumper to bumper” while sounding the horn. Prosecutor Ben Stanley said: “She said the defendant pulled alongside her vehicle, driving on the wrong side of the road to try and get level with her vehicle. She tried to speed up and he tried to swerve her off the road.
“At one stage the defendant managed to get in front of her vehicle and slammed on the brakes. This caused her significant fear she was going to crash.”
She headed to a police station but went into a dead end, prompting Morrissey to get out, tap on her window and hit his hands on the bonnet. Morrissey was arrested and in court he admitted dangerous driving and stalking charges.
Morrissey, of Gwernaffield, near Mold, North Wales, had no previous convictions. Robert Elias, defending, said Morrissey thought he’d been given some indication that the woman wanted to renew the relationship.
Judge Richard Archer suspended a six-month prison term for two years. Morrissey must also complete a rehabilitation requirement, 100 hours’ unpaid work and a “building better relationships” course. In addition he was banned from driving for a year and handed a seven-year restraining order.
