STALKER ESTATE AGENT IS JAILED FOR NEARLY FOUR YEARS FOR USING HER SOCIAL MEDIA PHOTOS TO TRACK HER DOWN THEN ATTACKING HER AT HOME
Tobias Gorman received a custodial sentence of three and a half years after admitting to charges including stalking, assault, criminal damage, and breaching a restraining order related to his former partner.The 30-year-old also admitted to harassing another woman by sending her numerous messages, triggered by a social media comment from an unrelated man.
During a hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court on Monday, October 19, it was disclosed that Gorman, who resides in Poole, continued his harassment of this woman after they met through a dating app.
This behavior took place just a month after he had been sentenced to a community order and a five-year restraining order for a prior stalking case involving his ex-girlfriend.
Prosecutor Paul Fairley stated that following a social media comment made by the woman, Gorman made multiple phone calls and sent many messages online.
Concerning his former partner, whom he was involved with from 2017 until January 2019, the court heard they maintained contact despite having a restraining order in place.
Mr.
Fairley explained that after she posted a beach picture on September 8, 2019, Gorman found her and sat beside her.
When she told him ten days later that they could not see each other anymore, he arrived at her home, put his car keys through her door, and begged to be let inside.
He then forced entry, causing her to fall during an assault.
His unwanted contact persisted until September 29, 2019, when he was involved in a second assault during an argument in which he pushed and grabbed her arms, leading to her falling to the floor.
She was eventually able to lock herself in a room and called police.
Despite being arrested and charged, Gorman's offending did not stop.
After appearing before Poole Magistrates’ Court on October 1, 2019, and receiving conditional bail, he immediately made numerous attempts to contact his ex-girlfriend through messages and other communications.
He also falsely claimed she was engaged in sex work and had previously sent messages suggesting she was an exotic dancer.
On June 19 this year, police responded to an incident involving Gorman’s Harley Davidson motorcycle and the woman's car outside her Bournemouth residence.
Officers at the scene found him breaching the restraining order again.
His recent misconduct also included sending three letters from prison on June 28, July 3, and July 8, all in breach of the court order.
The victim’s statement described her feelings of fear and distress, expressing her desire to end the cycle of harassment and regain safety at home.
Rob Griffiths, Gorman’s solicitor, acknowledged that the victim had been honest about not viewing Gorman as inherently a monster and recognized her admission had contributed to the circumstances.
He stated that Gorman accepted his past foolishness and did not wish to continue their relationship.
Their relationship was characterized as mismatched, with Gorman participating in various courses while on remand.
Although judge Stephen Climie commented that Gorman did not currently pose a danger, he warned that any repeat offenses would demonstrate his capacity for serious harm.
The judge summarized the case by indicating that Gorman’s obsession and jealousy, especially related to online posts, caused considerable distress.
He also expressed regret that the initial sentencing was postponed last November for the 2019 offenses, citing Gorman’s ongoing criminal behavior and its negative effects on the victim.
Gorman was ordered to observe a four-year restraining order regarding the woman he harassed and a separate order against his former partner until further notice.
