Derbyshire man's "fixated, obsessive, unwanted and relentless” emails to former partner
and live on Freeview channel 276
Karl Macinnes had been in a relationship for a couple of years with the woman at the time the relationship came to an end and the 44-year-old returned to live in his own flat, Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court was told on Thursday, September 3.
He then started sending her up to 30 emails per day, which were described as “fixated, obsessive, unwanted and relentless” over a four-week period during April and May, said Michael Little, prosecuting.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdMacinnes, of Hawksway, Eckington, admitted harassment when he appeared before the court after a stalking charge was dropped.
“The complainant said that initially the relationship had been great but then she found out that he had not been telling the truth,” said Mr Little.
“She had been trying to get rid of him and when she had ended the relationship he would keep coming around to the house.
“She ended the relationship in April, quite early in the lockdown, because he had changed the way he was towards her. He went back to his flat because she had had enough and the kids had had enough.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“She received a bombardment of emails - sometimes as many as 30 per day - and she sent a picture of her with her new partner hoping that he would get the message.
“She says it was frightening her because the messages were endless, but that financially she is in a better place because he always made her pay for everything. She says she doesn’t know where the money went but she knew he visited prostitutes. He is not violent towards her but he has just worn her down.”
Mitigating, David Gittins said: “He accepts that his behaviour was not acceptable. He has struggled through lockdown. His family are all in Scotland and that hasn’t helped him to let go.”
Macinnes was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and the court also issued a five-year restraining order.
He must also pay £85 costs and a £122 victim surcharge.