BRENDAN GOURLAY SENTENCED IN PETERBOROUGH FOR THREATENING EX-GIRLFRIEND FROM PRISON

Brendan Gourlay, a 37-year-old man from Nottingham, has been given a substantial prison sentence following a series of alarming and persistent threats directed at his former partner in Peterborough. The case drew significant attention after authorities uncovered that Gourlay had been making approximately 13,000 threatening and abusive calls to his ex-girlfriend while he was incarcerated.

Gourlay was re-arrested in late February 2024 and subsequently returned to prison, where he remained until October of the same year. The timing of his re-incarceration was closely linked to reports from his ex-partner in Peterborough, who contacted law enforcement just a month before Gourlay’s scheduled release. She reported that Gourlay had been sending threatening messages and leaving voicemails that caused her and her family considerable distress and fear.

Investigations into these threats revealed that Gourlay had been using a prison-issued tablet device to communicate with his former partner. This discovery led to further legal proceedings and a deeper understanding of the extent of his harassment. The police found that the majority of these calls occurred between March and October 2024, with some days seeing Gourlay making over 100 calls, illustrating the relentless nature of his attempts to intimidate her.

Initially, Gourlay denied any attempts to contact his ex-partner, claiming he was innocent of the harassment charges. However, during proceedings at Cambridge Crown Court in February, he ultimately pleaded guilty to one count of harassment with a fear of violence. His residence is listed as Anford Close, Nottingham, and he was sentenced at the same court.

Detective Constable Jake Owen from Cambridgeshire Police commented on the case, emphasizing the profound impact such threatening behavior can have on victims. He stated, 'As this case highlights, behaviour of this nature can leave victims feeling isolated and very frightened.'

Following his sentencing, Gourlay was handed an additional three years and three months behind bars. Furthermore, a five-year restraining order was imposed, explicitly prohibiting him from contacting his former partner in any manner, whether directly or indirectly. This legal measure aims to protect her from further harassment and to help her regain a sense of safety.

Detective Constable Owen expressed hope that the resolution of this case would provide some closure for the victim, allowing her to begin the process of moving forward. He also reaffirmed the police’s commitment to supporting victims of harassment and violence, ensuring that such behavior is met with firm legal consequences.