MAN HARASSES EX-WIFE OVER 'LEAKED' MEDICAL RECORDS AND IS GIVEN CONDITIONAL DISCHARGE
A man bombarded his ex-wife with WhatsApp messages in the mistaken belief that she'd accessed his medical records.Stephen Foster sent the victim 14 messages in one-and-a-half hours.
He claimed that someone had illegally obtained his private information and he blamed his ex, who works for Pinderfields Hospital.
Foster pleaded guilty to a charge of harassment when appearing at Kirklees Magistrates' Court.
Prosecutor Maggie Cavanagh stated that the couple divorced in 2009 and the victim wanted nothing further to do with him.
However, on the evening of April 18, she received numerous messages from Foster via WhatsApp.
Ms Cavanagh said, “He has no reason to contact her now (but) sent her 14 messages in one-and-a-half hours.
The messages were not particularly threatening but caused her concern.
“It's communication which was unwanted and caused her harassment, alarm and distress.” The court was told Foster, of Grange Road in Batley, had previous harassment warnings from police.
Foster, unrepresented, explained: “Somebody mentioned something to me that is personal to me on my medical records.
My ex-wife works for the NHS at Pinderfields and I thought the information had come from her.
“It provoked me and I sent the messages.
The NHS investigated and found no evidence she looked at my medical records.” Foster also expressed distress over being unable to see his children, which he said also provoked him.
Deputy District Judge Hales gave Foster a conditional discharge, meaning he won’t be punished if he avoids trouble for 12 months.
He was ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £20 victim surcharge.
