Darlington man jailed for harassing and stalking ex-partner

Stuart Bell set up a fake email account to convince a solicitors’ firm to send him documents about the transfer of housing assets before forging his ex-partner’s signature.

The 51-year-old then started to harass her with the disturbing messages while taunting her about selling their Mercedes car despite agreeing to hand over the vehicle as part of their separation agreement.

Philip Morley, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court how the defendant was made subject of a restraining order but continued harassing and stalking the woman following the breakdown of their relationship in May 2020.

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He said: “He set a fake email address in her name and continued with the correspondence. The transfer document was sent to the defendant and he signed it in her name and sent it back to the solicitor.

“The document was only picked up when there was direct contact with the complainant who alerted them to the fact that it was not her signature.”

Mr Morley said Bell made the situation worse by trying to persuade his nephew to take responsibility for sending the messages to his former partner.

In a victim impact statement, the woman said the stress of the case coming to court and finally being resolved had resulted her having suicidal thoughts and she was prescribed medication to get her through.

The woman told how her ex-partner’s behaviour had impacted on her job and left her feeling suicidal.

Stuart Bell (Image: Durham Constabulary)

Bell, of North Road, Darlington, pleaded guilty to stalking, breaching a restraining order, forgery and perverting the course of justice.

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The court heard how the defendant has remarried since the breakdown of his previous relationship and was trying to get on with his life.

Judge Chris Smith jailed the Darlington man for four years and four months for making his ex-partner’s life a misery for three years by harassing and stalking her.

He said: “She reported feeling worthless and contemplating suicide, she said she didn’t know what to do to make you stop.”

And supporters of the 51-year-old reacted angrily as he was taken away to the cells and ran towards the back of the court in a desperate attempt to speak to him while shouting their disbelief at the length of the sentence.