MAN STALKED WIFE AND FORCED HER TO MOVE ADDRESS TWICE
At Bolton Crown Court, it was revealed that Muhammad Jatoi had entered into an arranged marriage and his wife had arrived in the UK from Pakistan in 2022.Following the breakdown of their relationship, Jatoi refused to accept this and began sending her unsolicited messages, regularly appearing at her workplace.
He began stalking her between June and October of the previous year, during which she had relocated to Bury.
During this period, he sent threatening messages via social media and showed up at her place of employment.
In June, she agreed to meet him, but he followed her to her workplace.
When questioned about his presence, he claimed he was "sightseeing and waiting for a lift." In September 2023, he called her workplace, asked to speak with her manager, and in Urdu, inquired about her well-being before hanging up.
He also called her back nine times.
During this same month, he stalked her while she was working in Bolton, in addition to sending unwanted messages via Instagram and email.
The woman obtained a non-molestation order against Jatoi in September last year.
Despite this, he was placed on bail and ordered to stay away from her.
Between December and May, he repeatedly breached the court order, continuing his stalking behavior, which forced her to change her address twice.
She attempted to divorce him, but he insisted he would only agree if she removed the non-molestation order.
He also sent threatening emails during this period.
Prosecutor Olivia Brooksbank-Laing read out a victim impact statement, where the woman expressed her fear and feeling of vulnerability, stating she believed he might harm her and that she felt degraded by his actions.
Jatoi, age 24, of Leonard Street, Great Lever, was in court to be sentenced after pleading guilty to two counts of stalking and breaching a non-molestation order.
Defence lawyer Alex Beevers noted that probation services could work with Jatoi and highlighted overcrowded prisons.
He explained that Jatoi, who was 20 at marriage and from Pakistan, was emotionally overwhelmed by the breakup, lacked awareness of the harm caused by his actions, and struggled to handle relationship issues respectfully.
Judge Elliot Knopf emphasised that Jatoi deserved a prison sentence, describing his conduct as a prolonged nightmare for his victim and an extreme form of abuse, including threats, following her to her home and work, and sending threatening emails.
He stated that only a custodial sentence was appropriate in this case and sentenced Jatoi to two years and nine months in prison.
