CARL DAVIES

Carl Davies found himself in court after attempting to rekindle his relationship with his ex-girlfriend.

A large banner decorated with hearts was one of the methods he used in his efforts to win her back.

Demonstrating his feelings, Davies held up the handmade sign as she passed by, hoping Paula Muscat would understand how much he still cared.

However, this gesture—coming after weeks of persistent phone calls, texts, and visits to the Penarth hairdresser where she worked—only heightened her fear and discomfort, according to Cardiff Crown Court.

Davies, aged 34, pleaded guilty to harassment and was sentenced to a three-month prison term suspended for a period of time.

The court heard that after their six-year relationship ended, largely due to Davies’ cocaine addiction, he continued to bombard Ms.

Muscat with unwanted attention.

Prosecutor Helen Roddick explained that although she initially asked him to leave her alone because of the drugs and their breakup—which was initially amicable after living together in Caerphilly—he persisted.

She changed her phone number, but he found ways to contact her via texts and calls.

His behavior escalated to him waiting outside her workplace at the Boy’s to Men hair salon and approaching her at the Village Hotel gym, which made her increasingly fearful.

On July 9, as she was driving from Penarth to join the Ely link road, Ms.

Muscat noticed a van with flashing hazard lights, believing it had broken down.

As she slowed down, she was alarmed to see Davies outside holding a banner that read ‘Miss You/Love You’ with hearts drawn on it.

This act signaled to her that he was unlikely to give up.

Just days later, she was at the Kings Head pub with a male friend when Davies entered the premises.

He confronted her, questioningly asking what she was doing with the man and making dismissive comments, which caused her to panic.

She later contacted him that same night, pleading for him to leave her alone.

Ms.

Muscat described Davies as unpredictable and said the experience had led her to suffer panic attacks.

When arrested, Davies admitted that his drug use contributed to the breakdown of their relationship and that he had created the banner as an act of harassment.

He also claimed that his job as a delivery driver took him to places where she might have been, and insisted his gym visits were solely because he was a member.

His lawyer, Matthew Cobbe, acknowledged that Davies's actions were unlawful but emphasized there was no malicious intent, explaining that Davies simply couldn’t accept that their relationship was over.

The court was told that Davies has since reunited with another former partner and currently has no plans to contact Ms.

Muscat again.

Mr.

Justice Maddison criticized Davies’s selfish behavior, noting it showed disregard for her feelings.

The defendant, who has a criminal record with over 100 previous offenses, was sentenced to a three-month jail term suspended and ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid community work.

Additionally, a restraining order was imposed, preventing him from contacting Ms.

Muscat or approaching within 100 meters of her home or workplace until further notice.

The judge warned that breach of this order could result in a prison sentence of up to five years.