Suspended Sentence For Drunken Pest

Westminster Magistrates' Court

A local drunken pest, who repeatedly shouted abuse at a woman who lives a few streets away, has received a suspended prison sentence.

Stephen David Waite, 60, visited her address on three occasions in the first half of the year.

He was convicted at Westminster Magistrates' Court of harassing Erica Kovac between January 16 and July 4.

Waite, of Hurlingham Road, Fulham was abusive and threatening and refused requests to leave the woman's home in nearby Mimosa Street.

The court heard the victim was vulnerable and Waite's behaviour was aggravated by alcohol.

Waite, who has previous convictions, did not attend his trial and was found guilty in his absence.

He was sentenced to eighteen weeks imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months and must comply with an electronically-tagged home curfew for ten weeks between 7.00pm and 5.00am.

Waite must also comply with a Probation Service-ordered rehabilitation activity requirement of up to twenty-five days.

He was also made subject to a three-year restraining order, prohibiting contact with Ms Kovac, visiting Mimosa Street or any other address he knows she may reside at.

Jobless Waite was ordered to pay £100 costs and a £122 victim surcharge, which will be deducted from his benefits at the rate of £5 per week.