WORCESTER MAN ESCAPES PRISON AFTER STALKING EX AND SENDING 213 MESSAGES

A man named Robert Evans, aged 45, from Canterbury Road, Worcester, was involved in a stalking case where he sent hundreds of unwanted messages to his former partner over a period of 11 days. During the court proceedings, his victim's personal statement was read out, revealing that the harassment had caused her significant distress, including hair loss and suicidal feelings. The victim detailed that Evans had not accepted their relationship was over, which had led to him engaging in persistent unwanted contact through calls, answerphone messages, and social media messages, often daily. At the peak of his offending, Evans sent 213 messages within two days. The victim described Evans as manipulative, having contacted her friends and family to try to persuade her to re-establish the relationship, despite her clear warnings for him to leave her alone. She expressed her fear of Evans’ potential to cause harm, especially after he threatened to damage her house and stayed overnight in his car outside her residence and her new partner’s house. The court heard that Evans had entered into a new relationship, with his solicitor emphasizing that this would help him rehabilitate. Although magistrates acknowledged the seriousness of the offence, they decided not to sentence Evans to prison, instead issuing him a 24-month community order including 60 days of rehabilitation, anger management sessions, and a ban from entering specific locations. A restraining order was put in place, likely indefinite, preventing contact with the victim, her family, and her new partner. Evans was also ordered to pay costs and a victim surcharge totaling £275. The court emphasized that stalking is a gateway offence that can lead to more severe crimes, and there was consideration of this case being forwarded to the crown court for further sentencing options.