Man jailed over 12-year 'tide of harassment'

Bryan Stubbs committed two crimes just six days after being released for breaching the same order

A man who continued a "tide of harassment" towards his ex-partner and repeatedly flouted a restraining order has been jailed.

Carlisle Crown Court heard how Bryan Stubbs, 65, sent a sexually explicit photograph to his ex-partner on 3 March, who he had harassed over 12 years.

He admitted breaching a restraining order by harassment, and a second charge of sending a photograph of genitals to cause alarm, distress or humiliation, six days after being released for breaching the same order.

Before Stubbs, of no fixed address, was jailed for three years, prosecutor Tim Evans said: "He just won't stop until he is locked up."

About 10 years ago, Stubbs was handed an indefinite restraining order banning him from having any contact with his former partner.

The court then heard how he flouted that order repeatedly by contacting the woman and had been given a number of immediate custodial sentences.

His former partner was at work when she received two images in messages from a phone number she did not recognise at about 07:20 GMT.

The first was a graphic photo of Stubbs' genitals, and the second image showed a furnished room the woman did not recognise.

Stubbs was described as "controlling and possessive" by his ex-partner

Mr Evans said the woman had been "instantly disgusted" by the first picture.

A colleague was stood next to her as she opened the message, causing further embarrassment, the court heard.

The prosecutor said the woman had discussed the criminal contact with a friend, who was aware of the previous "tide of harassment" by Stubbs.

'Happening for years'

The woman said they had been together for two months, before separating due to Stubbs being "controlling and possessive".

She said: "He just won't leave me alone or allow me to fully get on with my life."

Mr Evans said of Stubbs' repeat offending: "It has been happening for years now.

"She said as soon as he gets the chance to breach the order, he does. He just won't stop until he is locked up."

Stubbs was handed a three-year jail term and told he would serve at least 40 per cent of that behind bars.

Judge Mark Ainsworth told him: "You must understand that if you keep on committing this offence then the sentence that the court imposes will be at this level, time and time again; and, frankly, you will spend longer and longer in prison."