Jilted Ex Turns Stalker

A jilted lover bombarded his ex with phone calls and text messages, stalked her at work and spied on her home, threatening to kill himself if she refused to have him back, a court heard.

Following a three-year romance 35 year-old insurance executive Andrew David Paine, of Pettys Close, Cheshunt, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, refused to accept it was over, accusing his ex of seeing another man.

Now his career hangs in the balance after being locked up for two weeks by City of London Magistrates’ Court where he was eventually sentenced to an eighteen-month community order, including twelve months probation supervision.

Father-of-one Paine pleaded guilty to harassing ex-girlfriend Julie Turner between October 30 and November 1, contrary to the Protection from Harassment Act and was also slapped with a five-year restraining order.

Prosecutor Mrs. Varinder Hayre told the court Paine sent 55 text messages between the two dates, starting in the early hours of the morning until late at night.

“Some of the messages were very distressing and the victim says the harassment is freaking her out,” explained Mrs. Hayre. “She says she is constantly frightened and worried, always on edge and anxious.”

On October 30, following a day of texts and calls Paine, employed by a Central London company, confronted Miss Turner outside her work.

“She asked him to leave her alone and told him the relationship was over. The defendant was begging her to go back with him and was crying,” Mrs. Hayre told the court.

“She threatened to call the police and the defendant walked away.”

However Paine followed his ex to Victoria Station. “She felt someone behind her, saw the defendant and he asked her if she was going on a date.

“He threatened to kill himself if she did not go back with him and started to cry,” added the prosecutor.

On November 1 Miss Turner was home alone when she received more texts from Paine.

“He said he could see her lights on and she saw the defendant sitting in his car outside her house before he sped off up the road. She was very frightened and checked her doors and windows.

“He had previously threatened to kill her if she would see anyone else,” added Mrs. Hayre. “She says she is also suffering anxiety attacks as a result and is on medication.”

Paine’s lawyer Miss Hannah Sampson told the court: “He is horrified and humiliated to find himself here. The two weeks he has spent in Wandsworth Prison were frightening.”

The lawyer explained her client’s two-week absence from his job of five years has put his employment in jeopardy.

“He is now aware this relationship is over,” said Miss Sampson. “He has more than learned his lesson.”

Paine was also ordered to pay £75 costs.