Man, 61, with 'maturity of an 11-year-old' stalked ex with calls, emails, and parcels

A judge told a man he “demonstrated the emotional maturity of an 11-year-old” after stalking his ex-partner because he was unable to accept their breakup. Jack Leatham, 61, sent numerous emails to his ex, called her ‘every day’, and sent unwanted parcels to her address which caused her serious distress.

Leatham, of Carnstabba Road in St Ives, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentencing today (December 11) after pleading guilty to one count of stalking involving serious alarm/distress.

Prosecuting the case, Phillipa Harper, told the court that the stalking took place over a period of three months in 2023, during which time he also made fake Facebook accounts and used his brother’s phone in an attempt to try to contact his ex.

This resulted in the victim having to move away from the area she lived in, and she now has a Ring doorbell to help her feel safer. While Leatham has since accepted his behaviour and that it amounted to stalking, he did not consider that at the time.

Leatham had previously been made subject to a non-molestation order in relation to the victim, which he breached in June 2022.

Defending Leatham, Hans Dieter Kehler said that none of the messages Leatham sent to his ex were threatening “by any way shape or form” but rather messages of “longing” to be with her. He added that Leatham now has “no intention” of contacting the victim, so he did not oppose a restraining order.

In sentencing Leatham, Judge Simon Carr told Leatham that he “demonstrated the emotional maturity of an 11-year-old”, as he was unable to accept the end of the relationship. He added that as a result of the breach of the non-molestation order, the victim “does not know if court orders are going to be successful” because Leatham “ignores” them.

Leatham was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years. He was also made subject of a restraining order and must complete mental health treatment, as well as pay a fine of £500.

Click here to join CornwallLive on WhatsApp. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.