A man who harassed his former partner of 42 years, causing her sleepless nights, was told by a judge today (Wednesday, February 2) that he had escaped going straight to jail by “the skin of his teeth.”
John Hall, 69, from Hemel Hempstead, pestered his ex by sending her emails and leaving her voicemail and Facebook messages.
Hall has already been sent to prison twice for offences against his victim from Watford. He was firstly jailed for undisclosed offences in March 2018. He was ordered not to contact her at her home, but when he was released, he breached the court ruling and was sent back to prison.
Hall was then released in January 2019 but contacted her again in April and was given a Community Order.
Prosecutor John Carmichael said in August, September and October he sent her voicemails, emails and Facebook messages.
“There were numerous breaches. They were not terrifying messages – more moaning. They caused the victim stress. She struggled to sleep on a nightly basis,” he said.
Hall, who lives on a houseboat at Winkwell Dock, Bourne End, Hemel, appeared for sentence having admitted breaching a restraining order.
Defending, Andrew Kerry said Hall had been “fixated” with his former partner and was unhappy with the settlement when they split up. He said he had received psycho dynamic counselling in prison and from his GP on his release.
He said Hall did not have a job, but does a lot of voluntary work.
Recorder Jeremy Brier passed a 6-month jail sentence suspended for 18 months. He must attend a 25-day Building Better Relationships Programme and pay £200 costs.
The judge told him he had committed a “persistent breach” of the restraining order that remains in place adding: “You have escaped custody by the skin of your teeth.”
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