A CARLISLE woman was left suffering from nightmares after being stalked by her former partner for several weeks.

James Edwards, 39, denied the offence but he was convicted after a trial at the city’s magistrates’ court. His lawyer said he plans to appeal against the conviction.

Prosecutor George Shelley outlined the offence – which included the defendant repeatedly making "unwanted contact" with the woman and on one occasion banging on her front door late at night while wearing a balaclava.

The offending happened between December 21 last year and February 6 this year, the court heard. Mr Shelley said: “There was unwanted contact in the form of messages, and he would turn up at [her] home address."

Some of the messages did not make sense while on one occasion Edwards was seen standing outside the victim’s house, holding his middle finger up in her direction, said the prosecutor.

Mr Shelley also outlined the late-night incident on February 2, when the woman’s doorbell camera recorded a balaclava clad figure thumping on her front door.

“She believed it to be Mr Edwards due to his distinctive walk,” said Mr Shelley. The court heard a victim impact statement that was prepared by the woman.

She said she now found it difficult to sleep and would wake at night in a “cold sweat” following nightmares during which the defendant would appear.

“I feel like I am reliving the offence over again,” she said.

Whenever she hears noises outside her home, she feels compelled to check her doorbell camera. What had happened left her scared to go outside by herself and she would always look around to check if she was being followed.

“A couple of days ago I was in Newcastle, and I felt James would appear there,” she said. “I feel I have few safe places left in Carlisle.”

Kate Hunter, for Edwards,  of Brookside, Raffles, said the defendant’s relationship with the victim had clearly deteriorated and there had been no planning involved in the offending.  

She suggested that much of the defendant’s behaviour was “misconstrued.” Formerly a working man, Edwards had been signed off as unfit for work and now suffers depression and anxiety.

The case had also affected him financially.

“He has been arrested numerous times as a result of these allegations,” continued Miss Hunter.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work. He must also complete 15 rehabilitation activity days, pay £620 prosecution costs, a £114 victim surcharge, and £150 compensation to the victim.

A restraining order bans any contact with the woman for one year. Magistrates said they had found the woman’s victim impact statement compelling, pointing to an escalating pattern of offending.