Stalker who 'lied about being pregnant' back in court after breaching order

A convicted stalker who carried out a "campaign of harassment" against her ex-boyfriend found herself back in court after breaching the terms of a protection order banning her from contacting him. Stephanie Mahoney, 33, received the stalking protection order in December 2022 after making her ex's life "a living hell", using a string of fake online profiles to bombard him with abusive messages after a bitter break-up.

Mahoney, of Long Lane, Wavertree, "lied about being pregnant" and posted pictures of aborted foetuses online while alleging the man had "bullied" her into having a termination. She also targeted his mum, posting "a number of disturbing and unpleasant photographs, including of aborted foetuses" accompanied with the caption "this is what [ex's mum] wants her grandchild to look like, in pieces". She also posted pictures of a newborn baby and said: "[Ex's mum] wanted this child killed. He is an innocent newborn baby boy."

She appeared at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday, August 19, where she pleaded guilty to five counts of breaching a stalking order. The first breach occurred on March 15 2023, when she sent an email to Liverpool Streetscene Services, where her ex-boyfriend worked, alleging the man was using his job as an excuse to harass her. She said: "One of your employees is domestically abusing me. I have a non-molestation order against him. He makes the excuse that he's emptying my bins.

"He's harassing me while he's supposed to be working. The man is dangerous and should not be able to behave like this while he's supposed to be doing his job. I'm scared, even in my own home. He's using his job to carry on abusing me. I'm looking to move so he doesn't know where I am. He's using the council as a way out of his non-molestation order conditions."

Liverpool Streetscene Service bosses contacted the man, who informed them of the situation and asked them to send the email to Merseyside Police. As a result, Mahoney's property was searched in July 2023, and officers found a number of mobile phones which she was not supposed to have.

The case brought Mahoney's total number of stalking order breaches to six, as she appeared in court in January after it was found she still held multiple social media accounts - including one which branded her ex's mum a "grandchild killer".

In a victim statement, Mahoney's ex-boyfriend, who The ECHO has chosen not to name, said: "Where do I begin? I can't believe I'm having to write another statement regarding Stephanie's actions. I have not seen this female in three years. Nor do I ever wish to see her again. But she simply will not leave me alone."

Kate Morley, defending, said: "There has been a protracted history. There were non-molestation orders in respect of both the complainant and the defendant - non-molestation orders on both sides. Clearly the defendant accepts she behaved very badly. She accepts responsibility and continues to do so.

"Mahoney is adamant there hasn't been any contact since last year and she has complied with everything that has been asked of her. She insists she has moved on completely. While her mental health has been low she has been supported by her family. Probation has said she has shown a high level of compliance. She is benefitting greatly from the assistance of probation. This behaviour is somewhat out of character and was born out of extreme emotional upset and distress."

Judge Judith Bond said: "There is no evidence to suggest that [the victim] behaved in the way you were suggesting. You sent the complaint despite knowing it was not true. This came in breach of that order.

"It is clear that your actions have made his life and the lives of his family very difficult. I bear in mind that all of these offences occurred prior to your sentencing in January this year. You have been given an opportunity, you need to use it. You have to learn."

She sentenced the mum of one to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, 30 rehabilitation days and 160 hours of unpaid work.