Kiveton man stalked his ex

Simon Cope, 42, of Highthorn Way, Kiveton Park, admitted one charge of stalking at Rotherham Magistrates Court on Monday.

The court heard that Cope’s former partner ended their five-year ‘on-off’ relationship in February last year.

Rob Coyne, prosecuting, said: “Since then the defendant has been sending texts from at least five different mobile phones and sending emails.”

“He has also sent flowers and birthday and Valentine’s cards.”

“She has told the defendant the relationship is over and she doesn’t want him to contact her.”

The court heard Cope travelled to his ex-partner’s new address in Leicester to try and see her.

But on seeing her new partner leaving her address, he followed him to his address.

“He then followed that up by sending texts telling her what he had done,” added Mr Coyne.

“He has also contacted her sister and emailed her new partner to try and get in contact with her.”

The court heard when Cope was arrested and interviewed by police he fully admitted all aspects of the offence.

He told officers he had followed her new partner because he was ‘inquisitive’ and wanted to see where he lived.

He said he had no malicious feelings towards her or her new partner, and simply wanted to talk to her to end things on good terms.

Gill Page, defending, said Cope had struggled to come to terms with the relationship ending.

She told the court he had since started a new relationship, and with the support of his new partner, was also seeking help through counselling

“There is no suggestion that this has been anything other than a nuisance, there have been no unpleasant messages,” she said.

“He accepts that this is not allowing his ex-partner to move on with her new relationship, and he also has a new relationship he is very anxious to move on with.”

“He had issues with how the relationship ended and has struggled to come to terms with that.”

The case was adjourned for probation service reports. Cope was released on bail to appear for sentencing on Monday 25th March.