NEWTON AYCLIFFE MAN ADMITTED STALKING EX-WIFE AFTER 35-YEAR MARRIAGE
A man awaiting sentence for stalking his ex-wife has been given a second chance to help the Probation Service draw up a background report.Colin Coulthard, of Russell Court, Newton Aycliffe, previously admitted a charge of stalking involving serious alarm or distress, following the couple’s break-up.
The case was adjourned for preparation of a Probation Service background report prior to sentence.
But when the 67-year-old appeared at the sentencing hearing before Durham Crown Court, sitting at Teesside, the hearing was told there was a “nil report”.
Judge Nathan Adams also said a victim statement compiled for the sentencing hearing made reference to incidents prior to the end of the relationship, a period not covered by the charge.
Martin Towers, prosecuting, said the offence admitted by the defendant purely involves incidents afterwards.
"It relates to messaging and turning up outside the house, post-break-up." Rebecca Brown, for Coulthard, asked that the defendant be given a second chance to assist the Probation Service in the compilation of the pre-sentence report.
"We believe he could be dealt with in this case by way of unpaid work.
There's work which can be done with him by the Probation Service.
He’s mentally more fragile than he outwardly shows.
The abrupt end of a 35-year marriage knocked him sidewards.
That’s reflected in the offence, and he pleaded guilty on the basis that he ought to have known he was causing harm.
He’s now under a considerable amount of financial pressure because of the divorce.
Never was there a man more crestfallen.
He didn’t think things through as to how his actions might impact upon them." Miss Brown said the defendant could make another attempt at helping the Probation Service compile the report for the court.
The court heard that part of the problem was that due to his employment, he is not always domiciled in the UK.
Judge Adams agreed to adjourn the hearing to allow the defendant to help the Probation Service to prepare the report.
The case was adjourned for sentence on January 29, when the judge should be sitting back at the court in Durham.
