POSSESSIVE MAN MADE SNAPCHAT THREATS TO WOMAN AFTER STALKING HER
A woman in Hartlepool became fearful of venturing outside following harassment by a controlling man.Nathan Watson, aged 33, repeatedly contacted the woman via phone after a single outing for fish and chips.
At Teesside Crown Court, it was revealed that when she asked him to stop, Watson responded by uploading two malicious videos to Snapchat, in which he insulted her and incited others to vandalize her property.
When the situation escalated, he also warned her: “Tell the police to get an army to arrest me.” The court heard how Watson asked the victim if she had a boyfriend the first time they met.
Jenny Hague, prosecuting, said: “She made it clear from the start that she was not interested in a relationship and she was focusing on rebuilding her life.” She agreed to go for fish and chips with him although afterwards Watson pestered her with calls directly and through others.
He called her more than a dozen times while she was at the gym and demanded to know why she had not replied.
Watson made the social media threats after she again told him she needed space and he also continued to call her.
Ms Hague added: “She said she was fearful of walking the streets due to the threats from the defendant.” Watson, of Hylton Road, Sunderland, admitted stalking and threats to commit criminal damage and has been jailed for 12 months.
