Alcoholic terrorised ex-partner and posed as police officer in harassment campaign

An alcoholic terrorised his ex-partner by bombarding her with calls and even pretending to be a police officer to her elderly mother.

Martin Richardson reacted badly to the end of their relationship and would regularly call at her home uninvited and on at least one occasion let himself in to steal a bottle of rum.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 39-year-old’s behaviour continued despite being arrested on two occasions for harassing his ex-partner.

Emma Atkinson, prosecuting, said Richardson had damaged the woman’s Ring doorbell after he became ‘obsessed’ with her following the breakdown of their relationship.

“She ended the relationship and that’s when the problems began,” she said. “He would call her ten times a day, video call her and make her walk round to prove that she was alone.”

She said that on March 8, the woman "knew there was going to be trouble" as Richardson had been paid, enabling him to buy alcohol.

“At 3.30am, he rang demanding to know who she was with and said – ‘I'm going to come down. I'm on my f****** way’,” she said.

The defendant pushed his way into her home when he arrived and picked up a bottle of rum before leaving. Miss Atkinson said he returned before making threats to smash her windows.

Richardson was arrested and bailed but less than a week later he was back harassing the woman, the court heard.

Miss Atkinson said the defendant called the woman’s mother, who is in her 80s, pretending to a PC Hutchinson but a quick check with police she was told that no officer existed with that name.

In a victim impact statement, the woman said the harassment had left her feeling fearful for her safety.

Richardson, of Bramall Lane, Darlington, pleaded guilty to harassment against his former partner.

Jonathan Walker, mitigating, said his client had struggled with alcoholism and conceded that Richardson had been ‘persistent’ in his campaign against his former partner.

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Recorder Bryan Cox KC told the defendant his victim must have been ‘terrified’ as he issued him with an 18-month prison sentence suspended for two years.

He added: “You maintain you were fond of her in the past, but your behaviour towards her has demonstrated a complete disregard for her feelings. You've pushed your own jealous interest on her. You have, for quite a long period, engaged in terrorising her.”

Richardson was made subject to a five-year restraining order and ordered to attend 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was also issued with an electronically monitored GPS tag and told to take part in an alcohol abstinence programme and a building better relationship scheme.