VICTIM RECEIVED NUMEROUS MESSAGES, PHONE CALLS AND UNWANTED VISITS
A woman has admitted a stalking charge relating to a near neighbour she pestered with numerous notes, messages, phone calls and unwanted visits.Appearing at a Durham Crown Court plea hearing on Friday (March 6) via a prison to court video link, Karen Ridley admitted stalking involving serious alarm and distress.
The allegation is that between September 22, 2025, and February 2, Ridley pursued a course of conduct that amounted to stalking and caused the victim serious alarm or distress, having an adverse effect on her usual day to day activities.
During that time, she is said to have sent numerous text messages and handwritten notes to the victim, as well as making numerous phone calls to her.
She is also said to have made threats to kill herself and attended the victim’s home when uninvited.
Charlie Thompson, for Ridley, asked for preparation of both a probation background report and a psychiatric assessment prior to his client being sentenced, as he said the defendant has, “undiagnosed mental health issues”.
Agreeing to the request, Judge Nathan Adams adjourned the hearing until late next month to allow time for preparation of both reports.
Addressing Ridley, he told her: “You have pleaded guilty to this matter, and you will be sentenced next month, “What the sentence will be is entirely down to the judge sitting on that day.” Judge Adams remanded the 63-year-old defendant, of Auckland, Chester-le-Street, to remain in custody pending the sentencing hearing in the case, on Friday April 24
