WOMAN STALKED HER EX-PARTNER
A woman known as Mercedes Harper, also identifying herself as Mercedes Lovell and currently without a permanent address, is set to be released from custody.She appeared at Mold Crown Court to be sentenced on Thursday morning after previously admitting to a single count of stalking.
The incident occurred in Wrexham over several days in May last year.
Prosecutor David Mainstone explained that the victim, Leon Lovell, was involved in a highly toxic relationship with Harper, who no longer wished to have any contact with him at the time of the incidents.
Despite this, Harper would frequently visit his flat, knocking and banging on his door and windows in an attempt to gain entry.
Her intimidating actions included pushing rubbish through his letterbox, one piece of which was set on fire, and on other occasions, after multiple attempts to get inside, she used her hand to smear dog feces on his kitchen and living room windows.
When detained, Harper claimed she had been institutionalized at Heddfan and denied seeing the complainant.
Mr.
Lovell later rescinded his support for the prosecution and withdrew his statement, but beforehand, he provided a victim statement.
In it, he described enduring harassment for approximately a year and claimed he felt his concerns had been ignored.
He described her conduct as ongoing abuse and harassment.
During the hearing, Judge Timothy Petts addressed Harper, who was speaking and gesturing via video link from prison despite being muted for interruptions.
"There's no point waving at the screen," he told her.
"We don't need to hear from you.
"This is not an invitation for you to interrupt or speak." Mr Mainstone added that Harper/Lovell had 13 previous convictions for 28 offences; including five for violence, five for criminal damage and two for harassment.
Importantly, he said, she was also convicted last year of stalking in very similar circumstances, for which she received a suspended sentence.
Ryan Rothwell made brief submissions, having already heard Judge Petts' intention to step back from a custodial sentence.
He suggested a domestic abuse protection order was not required, but conceded it was a matter for the Judge to decide.
Mr Rothwell said while there was "a lot" his client appeared to wish to say to the court, he did not feel it would improve her situation, and would not improve upon the sentence that the Judge had already indicated he was considering.
He added: "Although she has somewhat undermined it in this hearing, I have represented her before and she is markedly better than I have ever seen her - more courteous and calm.
"There are rehabilitative prospects for the future." Judge Petts told Harper: "Spoiler alert; you're leaving [HMP] Styal today.
"You did plead guilty, so I give you some credit for that, but more importantly you have already been on remand and have served the equivalent of eight months." As such, the Judge imposed a 12 month community order with 20 days of rehabilitation activity and a five year domestic abuse protection order (DAPO).
