Mark Quest, of Vulcan Road, Barrow, sent his former partner a ‘considerable number’ of calls and texts following the breakdown of their short two-month relationship, South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court was told.
The 55-year-old conceded with his guilty plea to stalking involving serious alarm / distress that he had attended her home address on two separate occasions.
He was sentenced for the offence November 6.
Peter Kelly, prosecuting, outlined the background to the offending.
“The parties met in November 2024 whilst the defendant was working at a garage in Kendal,” he said.
“The defendant was originally kind to the woman and they began a relationship. However, she indicates there were issues.”
The court was told ‘there was some form of interaction which made her feel vulnerable’.
The court heard the defendant’s ex told him she wanted no further contact following the breakdown of their relationship in January.
However Quest made 190 attempted calls to the woman between January 1 and March 31 which resulted in her having to install CCTV cameras and give up time at work.
Mr Kelly told the court how the woman struggled with sleepless nights and had a ‘degree of paranoia’ by checking her CCTV cameras on her phone.
He said the complainant still felt anxious and distressed and added she was frightened about bumping into the defendant.
“When I was home alone, I would drink alcohol to numb my feelings,” she told police.
“If it was not for my son, I would have spiralled. I have a new partner now who is supportive of me.
‘I was worried he (the defendant) would put a tag on my car to check where I was. I lost up to £700 for staying off work’.
Defence solicitor Daniel Frazer outlined the background to the offence.
He said: “The defendant was in a short term relationship. He will say he lent money to the complainant. When he started requesting the money back, the relationship soured. The relationship ended and he accepts his actions fell foul of the law.
“This was of a persistent nature. He has a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.”
Quest was sentenced to an 18-month community order with requirements to complete 15 rehabilitation days and the Building Better Choices program.
Magistrates also imposed an 18-month restraining order which prohibits the defendant from contacting his ex-girlfriend and entering the village of Natland.
