Reading Magistrates' Court told of Newbury wife's stalking terror at hands of Thatcham ex-husband
A WOMAN has spoken of her terror as her estranged husband became a relentless stalker.
The spurned partner of 36 years would turn up, uninvited and unwelcome, inside his victim's home after climbing over walls and would leave evidence of his sinister presence, a court heard.
The situation became worse when the husband learned of her new relationship and began to monitor the couple's movements.
One one occasion, he forced his way inside and was "almost foaming at the mouth", a judge was told.
In the dock for sentencing at Reading Magistrates' Court on Thursday, February 16, was Nicholas Doran.
At a previous hearing the 63-year-old, of Hartley Way, Thatcham, admitted stalking Nicola Doran in person and by phone or other means in Thatcham between October 21 last year and Monday, January 9.
Jane Hodge, prosecuting, said Mr Doran was repeatedly warned off by police but continued to stalk Mrs Doran and hew new partner.
He would climb over walls and fences to access her home, or would "loiter" outside, waiting for the boyfriend to arrive, the court heard.
On another occasion, Mrs Doran returned home to find her estranged husband's scarf tied to the door handle.
Ms Hodge added: "One night she was confronted by him in her property; he read a letter before burning it in front of her then left and climbed back over the wall."
In a victim impact statement Mrs Doran, who has since moved, said she felt like a prisoner in her own home and was terrified of what her estranged husband would do next.
She said it was clear that he was monitoring the movements of both herself and her new boyfriend.
She described one incident in which Mr Doran had forced his way into her home "and was almost foaming at the mouth".
Mason Waker, defending, said: "Clearly his offending will cause the court a great deal of concern."
However, he said his client had become so upset he was sectioned, or detained, under the Mental Health Act.
Mr Waker added: "He has struggled quite significantly with the breakdown of the marriage.
"He has now had counselling and realises he must manage his behaviour more appropriately."
Mr Waker pointed out that his client was a a hard-working family man who had no previous convictions.
District judge Samuel Goozee told Mr Doran: "You were spoken to by police and told to desist – that didn't stop you.
"You continued to the extent that, even after your arrest and bail conditions, you continued your stalking behaviour in direct breach of those conditions.
"Your behaviour caused significant fear and that doesn't surprise me."
He added: "You demonstrated, in my view, your wish to exercise control over [your victim] despite the fact the relationship had come to an end; there are serious aggravating factors."
He sentenced Mr Doran to a 12-month community order under which he must complete up to 15 days of rehabilitation activity.
In addition, Mr Doran was required to complete 120 hours of unpaid community work.
Judge Goozee ordered Mr Doran to pay £85 costs, plus a statutory victim services surcharge of £114.
Finally, he made Mr Doran subject to a two-year restraining order forbidding him from contacting Mrs Doran, either directly or indirectly, or from going to her new home.