'Utterly deluded' ex jailed over harassment campaign

An obsessed ex has been jailed for a campaign of "unrelenting harassment" against his former partner. David Timlin made threats, sent gifts, left hundreds of messages and ignored all requests from the woman to leave her alone, a court heard.

He flouted bail conditions not to contact the woman, tried to control her movements and even managed to get in touch while in prison. The judge said the 55-year-old had "completely refused to see reason" when she repeatedly made clear she did not want to see him.

"You sound at times utterly deluded as you dictate terms on which she is allowed to exist," he said before jailing him for two years and two months at Exeter Crown Court.

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Emily Pitts, prosecuting, said the pair were in a relationship for 10 years before the woman ended it in November 2023. Timlin soon became fixated on wanting her back.

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Timlin's behaviour included sending flowers and saying how sorry he was. He'd also turn up at her house and ask for a cuddle.

She agreed to meet up because she was tired of the relentless pestering, said the prosecutor. He bombarded her with messages and was so obsessed that she felt frightened and unwell with the constant attention.

In December he was arrested for assaulting the woman in her home and saying "I'm going to kill you". He was released with conditions to stay away. The victim retracted a statement she made to police because of the pressure he put her under, said Miss Pitts.

Despite the bail conditions, Timlin continued to harass her. In a victim statement she said it was "unrelenting harassment" that continued even when he was taken into custody.

The defendant, of New Exeter Street, Chudleigh, pleaded guilty to harassment by putting a person in fear of violence and perverting the course of justice by trying to persuade his victim not to cooperate with a police investigation.

Timlin has a history of similar behaviour against a previous partner, the court was told. In his defence it was said the unemployed painter and decorator has a problem with alcohol and his behaviour only lasted a short period of time.

Judge David Evans said: "In December and January of last year you attempted to control and dominate her. You refuse to take full responsibility and simply refused to see reason no matter how plainly she stated it. You seek to bulldoze your way past and get what you want every time.

"It wasn't through love - you were attempting to possess her. That is a very different thing, even if you refuse to she that."

He imposed a restraining order banning Timlim from contacting the victim until further order of the court.