Ex-from-hell attacked and harassed the woman he professed to love

EX-FROM-HELL ATTACKED AND HARASSED THE WOMAN HE PROFESSED TO LOVE

Grieving Andrew Edwards attacked and harassed his former partner.

The 52-year-old's victim sought and was granted a non-molestation order which he repeatedly breached by contacting her.

Now Edwards has been sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years, at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

He was also made the subject of a restraining order preventing him from contacting his ex and another victim for seven years.

Prosecutor James Hudson said that following repeated contact, his ex-partner met up with him in January 2024.

But on February 2, 2024, Edwards became angry: "The defendant started screaming.

The victim tried to leave the house but was prevented from doing so by the defendant.

She told him to let her leave.

He grabbed her around the throat and forced her on to the sofa.

She slapped him a number of times to get him off her." He also snapped a bracelet off her wrist.

The victim left and sought refuge from neighbors.

Edwards harassed her between February 7 and February 20, 2024, professing love and trying to persuade her to take him back, sending flowers, notes, and letters.

On February 20, 2024, she was granted a 12-month non-molestation order, but he soon breached it by contacting her on WhatsApp and emailing her asking for money and food.

The victim stated that these breaches affected her physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially, saying: "I am sick of always having to look over my shoulder.

I had to move out of the area I grew up in.

I am always on high alert because of him." Edwards denied 15 offences including breaching a non-molestation order, criminal damage, assault by beating, and harassment without violence.

He was convicted after a trial at North Staffordshire Justice Centre, and his case was sent to crown court for sentencing.

Mitigating, Matthew Ness said Edwards has shown signs of rehabilitation.

The defendant's grief over his brother's death from sudden death syndrome, his turn to drink and cocaine, and the loss of his job led to his behavior.

Since then, he has sought help and is working again as a groundworker.

As part of his suspended sentence, Edwards must complete 100 hours of unpaid work and a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

Judge Sally Hancox remarked that Edwards' behavior in 2024 was "bordering on the deranged" and described his continuous harassment and assault, including sending texts and emails to his victim.

She accepted that his actions were influenced by emotional distress but emphasized such conduct was unacceptable.

Edwards was ordered to pay £500 costs.