A MAN who developed an almost “obsessive” intent to intimidate his ex-partner after their break-up has received a 27-month prison sentence.

Jamie McGow’s “irrational” behaviour was said to have caused his former partner, “great distress and anxiety”, fearing she may suffer violence at his hands.

Durham Crown Court heard it led her to change her behaviour and she moved home as a result.

McGow, who was convicted of harassment of the same woman at the magistrates’ court, in February this year, was ordered not to contact her as a condition of bail.

But, the court was told that between March 2 and 5 she received seven calls from a blocked phone number which the victim suspected were from McGow.

She eventually answered one and he remained silent, so she sent a message asking him to stop as she was petrified he may discover where she was living.

Barry Robson, prosecuting, said four more calls followed in the early hours of the morning which she answered and on which he also remained silent.

She felt he was trying to intimidate and aggravate her, but he replied to the text pretending he thought he was communicating with someone else, called ‘Lee’.

Ten more calls went unanswered up to 1.50am, on March 5, and she eventually blocked the number.

Mr Robson said McGow’s previous partner contacted the woman to tell her he had posted slanderous messages about her on TikTok, accusing her of being on drugs, with references to her son, and he claimed the police “could not touch” him.

He was also threatening to post further images of the woman.

Mr Robson said it also emerged McGow had made attempts through a nurse practitioner and Social Services to discover where his ex-partner was living.

He was arrested on March 11 and, when interviewed, denied any offending, claiming he did not have a mobile phone, but it was recovered and the TikTok messages were found.

McGow, of Petersham Road, Pennywell, Sunderland, admitted a charge of stalking, covering his conduct between February 27 and March 11.

The court heard his ten previous offences include past cases of damage, battery, harassment, breaching notification requirements, disclosing sexual photos to cause distress and failing to comply with notification requirements.

Read more: Turkish man convicted of attempted rape and sexual assault in County Durham

A statement from his latest victim said since she chose to end their five-year relationship, McGow, “seems to have enjoyed making my life a misery and make me feel scared.”

She said she is now on anti-depressants and is awaiting therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder, and stated she feels like, “a prisoner in my own home.”

Ian West, for McGow, said the offence was committed over a relatively short period of 11 days, with no threat of violence.

“He’s a young man who has his own mental health issues and has been diagnosed as having a bi-polar disorder and adhd, for which he is on medication to address his impulsivity.”

Mr West added: “None of that offers any comfort to the complainant but explains to some extent why he behaves as he did.

“He just doesn’t think before he acts.”

Judge Ray Singh told McGow: “In my opinion your behaviour was significant, pre-meditated to cause her (his ex-partner) alarm and distress.

“The effect on her and her day-to-day activities has been significant.”

Judge Singh said: “The intensity of threats to her indicate the obsessive traits you used to control the victim.”

Imposing a 27-month prison sentence, he also made McGow subject of a restraining order prohibiting him entering the County Durham town where she now lives, or contacting and approaching her, for life.

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