DRIVING INSTRUCTOR JAILED FOR STALKING BREACH

Graham Mansie, age 53 and a driving instructor from Beckenham, was sentenced to a term of 20 months in prison after violating a restraining order by making a journey of over 200 miles from London to York to visit his former pupil. Mansie had previously been stalking the victim, who is 19 years old, and had received a suspended two-month prison sentence for similar conduct in Kent. Despite the court’s prohibition, Mansie traveled to York only nine days after the restraining order was issued, arriving on 27 May. At York Crown Court, it was heard that Mansie sat under a tree outside the victims campus residence and was found sobbing with superficial self-harm cuts. The judge described Mansie as having developed an infatuation with his former pupil and warned that any future violations could result in significantly longer imprisonment. Relph, supported by friends and university staff, voiced her hope that Mansie would understand the gravity of his actions and that she could begin to regain control over her university life. Mansie had initially behaved properly but later created social media accounts about Relph and joined her campus community in October of the previous year, although he did not access her accommodation directly. His conduct led to the court issuing an indefinite restraining order, which he later breached. Police described the case as frightening and commended Relph for her bravery during the investigation.