Man is fined for harassing alleged stalker

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Tuesday, February 23, how Paul Adams, 50, of Bridle Lane, Leabrooks, Alfreton, was contacted by a female friend to warn off another male.

Prosecuting solicitor Ian Shaw said: “The defendant was contacted by a witness asking him to have a word with another male and tell him to stop stalking and following her around.”

The woman had also asked Adams, according to Mr Shaw, to tell the man to keep away from a young relative of hers and to stop contacting the youngster via Facebook.

Mr Shaw added: “Adams accepts attending a place where the woman and the man in question had arrived and he had parked nearby and the defendant gestured for the man to get out of his vehicle.

“The man stayed where he was and the defendant shouted twice more.

“There was clearly concern from the man about Adams being there. It was viewed by the man as threatening behaviour so he stayed in the vehicle.”

Adams pleaded guilty to harassment after the incident at Somercotes, about 5.30am, on July 10, last year.

Defence solicitor Bertie Mather said: “This other man had been persistent and was stalking this woman and when he realised he was being unsuccessful he started making contact with the lady’s granddaughter by Facebook, text and by trying to make contact by phone.

“He was being over-persistent and the lady was very worried and turned to Mr Adams.

“She asked if he could have a word with the man and to ask him to desist.”

The court heard how Adams confronted the man in the early hours at a location and at a time where both the complainant and the woman were due to go to work at different places in the area.

Mr Mather added: “Adams intended to take the law into his own hands and the matter should have been dealt with civilly with a letter.

“He sees that by going to this address and remonstrating this could have led to apprehension from the man.”

Magistrates fined Adams £40 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.