GRAHAM ROBERTS MAYOR OF WHITEHAVEN SENTENCED FOR STALKING AND ABUSE OF POSITION

A mayor who exploited his position to obtain private information and stalk two women has been sentenced. Graham Roberts, the mayor of Whitehaven, exhibited what a court described as "obsessive" behavior towards a woman working at a local pub, and also sent letters to the address of another woman, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) stated.

Whitehaven Town Council confirmed that Roberts was still serving as mayor but had stepped down in September 2024 due to health concerns. The CPS revealed that the 72-year-old had "abused his position" to cause substantial distress to both women.

Roberts pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking and was sentenced at Workington Magistrates' Court to a 12-month community order and a 12-month restraining order. Despite resigning from his mayoral duties, he did not formally resign from the role and remains the mayor of Whitehaven. The council announced that Deputy Mayor Chris Hayes would carry out his duties during Roberts's absence.

The court heard that Roberts, of Aikbank Road, Whitehaven, sent letters intended for a woman he met at his local pub. These letters contained comments about her figure and described her as his "soul mate." The woman contacted Cumbria Police, stating Roberts had "continually asked to date her and persisted despite her refusal." It was revealed that Roberts accessed the electoral roll to find her address but mistakenly sent the letters to another woman. The recipient only realized who was sending the letters after Roberts included his business card.

The victim reported feeling "very anxious and on edge," frequently watching her window at night, feeling as if she was being watched, and changing her routines. The other woman described Roberts’s conduct as making her feel nervous and considered it "odd."

Roberts admitted to the charges, receiving a 12-month community order with a 10-day rehabilitation requirement, a fine of £294, and a 12-month restraining order. Rachel Parker, senior crown prosecutor for CPS North West, commented, "His behavior caused two women a lot of anxiety and distress. He accessed confidential records to locate one woman’s address and his infatuation severely impacted both women's sense of safety and routine."