AN ex-boyfriend harassed his former partner in a bid to get closure after the pair had broken up.

Glyn Griffiths admitted stalking Joanna Bright over a week after their relationship ended.

At first, the victim received a 20-minute phone call from Griffiths professing his love.

But the court heard the former serviceman’s behaviour escalated and he began following Ms Bright as she walked alone and with her children on the school run.

Prosecutor Katharine Houghton told Colchester Magistrates’ Court: “The defendant went to her home and delivered a note that read as a suicide note.

“There were then several calls from a withheld number believed to be the defendant.

“On April 23, the victim was walking her children to school and getting to the end of the road, she saw the defendant approaching in his car.

“She continued to walk home and saw his car again driving towards her very slowly.

“The victim began to fear the defendant was approaching her and ran home.

“During interview, he accepted calling her several times because he was upset with her and wanted closure.”

However, Griffiths disputed intentionally going near the Clacton school to follow Ms Bright.

Mark Pearson, mitigating, said: “The two incidents didn’t start out as deliberate. He followed her a short distance after dropping off his [estranged] wife and daughter to work.”

A member of the probation service said the unwanted contact began because the victim had lapsed on a payment for a bill in Griffiths’ name.

The 59-year-old denied wanting to rekindle their relationship.

Mr Pearson added: “Quite openly, Mr Griffiths accepts his behaviour does amount to harassment.

“He was suffering quite severe depression during this period of time.

“When the incidents occurred, he was trying to speak to Ms Bright having being blocked from contacting her.

“At that time he should have realised she didn’t want to speak to him.”

He was also given a reprieve by the victim who had retracted her statement, saying she felt “guilty for putting the defendant through the process”.

Griffiths, of Groom Park, Clacton, admitted stalking without fear alarm or distress, was handed a 12-month community order, including 60 hours of unpaid work and 25 rehabilitation days with the probation service.

He must also pay a total of £135 court costs.

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