Unwelcome Visits: Police Sergeant Banned From Matrimonial Home

A Police Sergeant received a restraining order today, banning him from the matrimonial home he once shared with his fellow-officer wife, who felt harassed by his visits.

Robert Ferguson, 51, an officer with Suffolk Constabulary claimed that because he still part-paid the couple’s mortgage he was entitled to let himself into the property, despite their split.

He was arrested and charged with harassing Emma Ferguson, causing her upset, anxiety and distress on November 15 and December 12, last year by entering the address on a number of occasions.

Today, at City of London Magistrates’ Court Ferguson, of
Ringshall, Stowmarket, Suffolk was due to stand trial, but the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence.

However, the father-of-three’s career will be effected after Deputy District Judge Alex Stein made him subject to a two-year restraining order.

Ferguson is prohibited from contacting Emma, except via solicitors or their three children; going within 100 metres of the former matrimonial home in Cattsfield, Stutton, Ipswich and not entering the curtilage of the property.

Prosecutor Micaila Williams told the court: “The defendant and complainant were a couple for twenty years until October, 2019 and are both serving police officers.

“They have separated and Emma remains in the family home with their three children, two of whom are adults and a thirteen year-old son.

“Mr Ferguson continues to contribute to the mortgage and although their divorce was initially civil it became acrimonious.

“Mr Ferguson would attend to pick-up or drop-off his son and use his key to let himself in or enter through an unlocked door.

“She says she does not want him coming in, but Mr Ferguson said he was entitled because he is still paying part of the mortgage.”

Representatives of Suffolk’s Professional Standards Department were in court and Adam Budworth, defending, said: “The restraining order is going to have a long and lasting impact on his employment.”

Asking for a shorter, six month period, the lawyer added: “Mr Ferguson will effectively lose his employment while subject to the order.

“Since his arrest in December, last year there has been no suggestion of wrongdoing and Mr Ferguson just comes to a lay-by outside the house to pick-up his son and drop him off.”

The judge told Ferguson: “You have been acquitted and you walk away an innocent man, but it is necessary and proportionate to issue the restraining order on acquittal.”