MAN JAILED FOR STALKING AND ASSAULTING FORMER PARTNER
A man from Ellesmere Port has been sentenced to prison after admitting to assault and harassment directed at his former partner.Michael Duncan appeared in Chester Magistrates Court on 27 February, where he pleaded guilty to charges under Section 39 for assault and for stalking behaviors.
The 38-year-old received a six-month custodial sentence and was issued a five-year restraining order to stay away from his ex-partner.
The court was informed that Duncan has multiple prior convictions related to domestic violence incidents.
His victim, whom he knew for several years, was unaware of his criminal background at the time.
The couple entered into a relationship in 2022, which initially was without issues.
However, as their relationship developed, Duncan’s jealousy and need for control increased.
He repeatedly accused her of cheating and kept tabs on her social media accounts, even making her remove male contacts.
His controlling conduct extended to contacting her friends and family to further isolate her.
Trouble escalated when Duncan learned she had spoken to a former partner, after which he verbally abused her, calling her derogatory names such as ‘tramp’ and ‘slag’.
On one occasion, he followed her while she was out, and upon her request for him to leave, he spat in her face.
After months of abusive behavior, she ended the relationship after nearly a year.
His harassment persisted and worsened.
He would park outside her residence in a van and send hundreds of threatening messages, videos, and phone calls.
In December 2022, he called her over 100 times on Christmas Eve and sent a message on Christmas Day encouraging her to take her own life.
