MAN ADMITS STALKING AND SHARING SEXUAL MATERIAL OF WOMAN
Thomas Leigh, aged 33, from Greenwood Avenue, Bolton-Le-Sands, Carnforth, struggled to accept his partner’s decision to end their relationship.He was willing to ignore police bail conditions by going to the shop where she worked in Kendal.
Leigh admitted charges of witness intimidation, stalking, and two assaults—specifically incidents where he pushed her during arguments.
During a hearing at Carlisle Crown Court, Prosecutor Sophie Johnston detailed the offences, which took place over a 12-day span.
The first assault occurred amid a relationship described as somewhat volatile.
In April, the woman discovered empty drug packets in their shared home.
She asked Leigh to leave, but he refused.
She recounted that she was lying on a bed when Leigh entered with a knife, threatening to harm himself and expressing a desire not to live anymore.
When she tried to call police, Leigh snatched the phone and forcefully held her down, grabbing her shoulder she wasn’t injured.
A few days later, Leigh’s second assault occurred after she found out he shared private information with a third party.
She packed his clothes into a bag and placed it in his car.
When he retrieved the bag, he returned, pushed open the front door, and forced her back onto the wall.
His behaviour grew more erratic as he threatened suicide and took a range of drugs.
Police later located him in his vehicle.
The witness intimidation charge related to Leigh visiting her house on April 21, despite being released on police bail not to contact her.
The stalking incident culminated when he arrived at her workplace carrying flowers.
He requested her manager to tell her he loved her and wanted to speak.
The woman’s victim statement described her fears of Leigh, feeling guilty, and isolated.
She said her confidence had been shattered.
Defence solicitor Michelle Brown explained that cocaine use had been a major factor in their previously healthy relationship.
Leigh had not shown emotional maturity but recognised he needed to move on.
He now claims to be free of substance misuse.
Leigh described his emotional state as involving desperation when speaking with probation officers.
Probation staff assessed him as posing a low risk of reoffending.
Judge Michael Fanning acknowledged that Leigh’s actions had caused his ex-partner distress and fear, noting that his cocaine abuse had contributed, especially after she challenged his behaviour.
The judge viewed the threats of self-harm as manipulative attempts to stress his partner, who ultimately decided she had endured enough.
While Leigh has served 81 days in custody, the judge believed he could be rehabilitated.
He sentenced Leigh to 12 months in jail, suspended for two years, including ten days of rehabilitation activities.
The judge advised him to learn from this experience, emphasizing that the relationship was over.
