A man who stalked his ex-girlfriend has been banned from going to Royal Wootton Bassett.
42-year-old Stephen Rushton appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court to be sentenced for the offence – which was committed between 15 August and 12 November last year.
Keith Ballinger, prosecuting, said the defendant was in a relationship with the woman for about two and a half years. They got into a relationship when the pair got chatting on Facebook during the Covid lockdown.
In August, the woman ended the relationship because nights out would turn nasty when Rushton became jealous and fixated on her ex-partners. He would start arguments and call her names.
In an attempt to re-establish the relationship, he repeatedly contacted her and threatened to harm himself. He reportedly attempted to take his own life and left her a suicide note.
On numerous occasions, he contacted her male friends via Facebook and asked if they had been having intercourse with her and ranted at them.
He sent the woman sometimes up to 30 messages a day and turned up at her work. He approached her in an alleyway nearby and attempted to cuddle her. After confiding in a friend, she contacted the police.
The police made contact with Rushton and advised him that he would face prosecution if he continued contacting his ex-girlfriend and warned him to leave her alone. Shortly afterwards he contacted her once again – moaning about her reporting him to the police.
On 2 September, he sent her a message stating about her eating at her dining room table. The message was received moments after she’d finished eating and left her worried about how he knew. Other comments were made that led her to believe he was lurking outside her home.
Despite continuously blocking his contact, Rushton found ways to communicate with her – even through other people who were asked to send her messages on his behalf.
He was arrested, remanded in custody for three weeks and later released on bail with the condition not to contact the woman directly or indirectly. He continued regardless – this time by sending her emails – sometimes as many as 31 in a day.
Mr Ballinger said the victim was losing sleep, staying up all night worrying about whether he would turn up at her address. He said that she fears going out and no longer feels safe.
In December 2021, Rushton was sentenced for possessing cocaine whilst resisting arrest after police were called to reports of a disturbance at his home.
Luke Jameson, defending, said his client, of Calvert Road, Swindon, did not send anything threatening messages to her – only messages about how much he loves her and wants to get back together.
District Judge Joanna Dickens said that the woman was “effectively emotionally terrified by you for months and months and months”, adding: “You just wouldn’t stop”.
Accepting that Rushton has “many, many issues”, she imposed an 18-month community order with the requirement to complete the Building Better Relationships Programme and 20 rehabilitation days.
He must also complete 80 hours of unpaid work and abide by the rules of a three-year restraining order, with a one-year ban from entering Royal Wootton Bassett – where the victim lives. He’ll also pay costs and a surcharge.
