Spurned lover sobs in dock (From Stroud News and Journal)

Spurned lover sobs in dock

A WOMAN who could not accept a relationship was over stood sobbing in the dock at Stroud Magistrates Court on Friday as she was convicted of harassing her former partner.

Katy Louise Barton, 33 was also found guilty of ignoring a restraining order banning her from contacting her former lover or his family - despite the fact he was still allegedly meeting her for sex sessions.

Barton pleaded guilty to both the harassment charge and the breach of the restraining order.

The court heard how Barton's ex-lover, Mark Simmonds who lives with his parents in Stonehouse, had been forced to have his phone disconnected after a torrent of calls from Barton just days after she had been in court for breaching a restraining order.

Malcolm Hayes, prosecuting, said the case had a long history going back to 2001 when Barton and Mr Simmonds were in a relationship lasting less then two months.

"The relationship came to an end and Miss Barton began a campaign of pursuing and harassing Mr Simmonds," he said.

She first came before magistrates for hounding Mr Simmonds last summer, when she was placed under a restraining order and given a 12-month conditional discharge.

But she was back in court on March 25 for her continued harassment.

By April 1 she had again broken the conditions of her restraining order.

Her solicitor Brian Head pointed out she had not made any further calls since her arrest in April.

The court heard how she had told Mr Head before her first court appearance Mr how Simmonds had agreed to meet her for several sex sessions.

"Even though he'd made a complaint, he'd agreed to see me for sex," she said in her statement.

Summing up the chairman of the bench said although Barton of 55 Stroud Road, Gloucester, would normally be looking at a prison sentence for her crimes he did not believe it was appropriate this time.

Magistrates asked for a sentencing report and Barton was released on conditional bail before sentencing on September 2.