A PENSIONER has been jailed after he pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking and harassment of a woman.

John Cassidy, 68, was convicted after a trial at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court on October 1 of stalking without fear/alarm/distress.

The court heard Cassidy followed the woman to her home address, called and sent her messages, as well as listening in on her conversations without her knowledge between July 19 2024 and August 9 2024.

Cassidy, of Sycamore Road, Whittlesey, Peterborough, originally pleaded not guilty to the charge on August 13 this year.

The court was told Cassidy had committed the offence whilst on bail.

Magistrates said the offence was so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified. They added that the defendant had shown a ‘flagrant disregard for court orders’.

As a result, he was jailed for 12 weeks and issued with a two year restraining order.

The particulars of the order included not to approach the victim directly or indirectly by any means whatsoever, and not to go to Haven Lakeland Leisure Park in Flookburgh.