MAN USES PHONE CLONING TO HARASS EX AND GETS FIVE-YEAR BAN
A man who used a phone cloning app to harass his ex has been ordered to keep away from her for five years.Matthew Terry, of Dyson’s Hill, Honley, admitted using computer software to ring his former partner Ruth Illingsworth’s phone.
Miss Illingsworth received calls from various numbers stored on her phone, which were supposed to belong to her boyfriend and the Child Maintenance service, but she was shocked to hear Terry’s voice on the other end.
The 35-year-old had pleaded guilty to harassment charges at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court.
The couple’s relationship ended in 2012 after Terry was cautioned by police for assaulting Miss Illingsworth.
He was then given a harassment warning after sending abusive texts to the mother of his two children.
Calls and texts were made using an online app that cloned various numbers stored in her phone.
Shamaila Qureshi, prosecuting, said: “Miss Illingsworth feels fearful as a result of him doing this - she doesn’t know what he’s capable of.
She said she felt like a prisoner in her own home and his increasingly bizarre behaviour has unsettled her.” District Judge Michael Fanning described the harassment as “unusual” and noted Terry’s use of a device to disguise his identity, showing cunning.
The root cause of dissatisfaction appeared to be Terry’s inability to see the children.
Terry was sentenced to 120 hours of unpaid work, and a five-year restraining order was issued banning him from contacting Miss Illingsworth.
He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.
