A Penrith man who sent scores of unwanted messages to his ex-partner shortly after they split has been sentenced by magistrates.
Daniel James Wordsworth, 36, had been in a relationship with the woman for more than a year before they went their separate ways last month.
On December 14, the woman contacted police to report that she had been subjected to stalking from her former boyfriend.
“Harassing her,” prosecutor George Shelley explained at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court, “by sending over 70 messages, turning up outside her home address.
“He has also attended her place of work in Penrith to try and speak to her which was witnessed by colleagues.”
Wordsworth, of the town’s Greystoke Park Road, was interviewed by police and brought to court when he admitted one offence of stalking. He was initially granted bail while a probation pre-sentence report was prepared ahead of his punishment hearing.
But on New Year’s Eve he flouted a bail condition by attending an area close to her home — a breach he had since admitted was stupid. There had been no contact with the woman on that occasion.
Steven Marsh, mitigating, said Wordsworth’s criminal conduct had been committed over a short period, between December 12 and 14, after he moved out of the house they had shared.
On December 12, he had visited — he believed legitimately — her place of work to return house and vehicle keys he had used.
“He did send a large number of unwanted messages which he realises was inappropriate,” said Mr Marsh. “He didn’t want to leave on bad terms.”
Wordsworth had lost his job as an HGV driver just before being arrested, and would be looking for new employment when released from custody having been remanded for 15 days.
For the stalking offence and breaching his bail, Wordsworth was given a 12-month community order. He must complete rehabilitation work with the probation service and pay a £40 fine.
In addition, he was made subject to a year-long restraining order banning him from contacting his ex-partner and also going to her home address.
