WOMAN SENTENCED AFTER BEING FOUND GUILTY OF STALKING IN WARRINGTON
A woman exhibited unpredictable conduct by repeatedly arriving at her former partner’s residence and sending numerous messages and calls.Lauren Luke would often knock on the door then leave hurriedly, and she also parked outside his house with her vehicle’s lights illuminating the windows.
According to the court, her behavior was motivated by a desire to maintain contact with her daughter and was not intended to stalk the victim.
The 37-year-old, originally from Orford now living in Manchester, appeared in Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, having been found guilty of stalking without causing fear, alarm, or distress after a trial.
Prosecutor Claire Oliver told the court that Luke and the victim, with whom she shares a child, had been separated for nearly ten years when this conduct started in August 2022.
Ms.
Oliver stated that while their relationship sometimes improved, it generally remained tense.
From August 12 of the previous year, Luke began arriving at her ex-partner’s home in Warrington multiple times each day.
He lives there with their daughter and his parents.
Her actions during these visits were described as “unusual” and “worrying.” She would knock on the door, then run away, shine lights into the home, and shout family members’ names in public, among other behaviours.
On one notable day in September 2022, Luke made 28 phone calls to the victim.
A victim impact statement read in court highlighted that her conduct made her ex-partner feel emotionally drained and created significant stress for his family.
Luke has a criminal record with three convictions for ten different offenses.
Her lawyer, Sam Corcoran, stated that “This has been a really unusual case and a desperately sad situation for all parties involved.” She explained that her client’s actions commenced after her daughter moved in with her father in August 2022 due to power issues at her home.
Additionally, when she tried to pick up her daughter for a holiday, her ex-partner refused, citing concerns over Luke’s mental health at the time.
Upon the verdict, Ms.
Corcoran pointed out that her client did not intend to stalk, but her behavior might have caused alarm or distress given her ex-partner’s controlling manner.
Luke was sentenced to a community order lasting 12 months, including up to 20 days of rehabilitation.
Court costs of £400, a surcharge of £114, and a £120 fine were also imposed.
She is prohibited from approaching the victim for two years.
