An “obsessed” Alston stalker left his distressed former partner on the brink of moving out of town as he made a host of unwanted visits to her address.
Ian Newlands (43) was in a 13-year relationship with the woman which ended five years ago.
Carlisle Crown Court heard there had since been “issues” with Newlands’ behaviour towards her, culminating with criminal conduct during the course of almost three weeks around the turn of August.
On 29th July the woman found her car tyres had been slashed and dialled 999. A short time later there was a knock at the door but Newlands was standing outside when the householder expected police.
After she closed the door, Newlands banged on it for several minutes until officers approached. “Upon hearing the sound of sirens, he fled the scene,” said prosecutor Gerard Rogerson. Newlands later threw a glass fireplace into her garden. In an initial police statement the woman described feeling scared to leave the house and reluctant to turn on lights, fearing Newlands would know she was inside.
He later made an abusive late night phone call and there were further unwanted visits to her house which left the woman distressed.
“Ian is obsessed with me,” she said in a second statement, having described him being a “functioning alcoholic for about 20 years”. “His alcohol abuse makes the situation even worse. I just want this to stop.”
But the stalking did not stop, with another phone call and more unwanted visits which left her more nervous and anxious.
“I was worried that every time I left my house he would be waiting outside,” the woman also stated. “I am now seriously thinking of moving away from my home and leaving Alston.”
Newlands, of The Firs, Alston, admitted stalking.
Defence solicitor Jeff Smith said: “He knows that he cannot carry on behaving in the way that he has done.”
Alston was a small place with Newlands living very close to his former partner’s address. He had been drinking heavily for a period of time, said Mr Smith, but since being remanded in custody he was no longer reliant on alcohol and had “turned a corner”.
He had work available to him when released from custody and was committed to changing his ways.
But Judge Richard Archer imposed an immediate 12-month prison sentence. “There is, it seems, nothing to stop you from behaving in this way,” said the judge.
He also imposed a restraining order banning Newlands from having any contact with the woman for five years.
