Ex-lover pestered woman from jail

A JILTED lover harassed his former partner from inside his prison cell by phoning her and sending letters.

Craig Gould (37), of Moorside View, Oldham, had been jailed for harassing his ex-girlfriend, Stella Proverb, but he continued to pester her.

He was sentenced to six months in prison, which he has since served, for constantly phoning her up at work and leaving notes on her car window.

But on the day he was sentenced in June, he phoned Miss Proverb begging for forgiveness from inside Forest Bank Prison, Salford.

He then sent letters to Miss Proverb which included apologies and one claiming that she was evil for not talking to him.

Miss Jennifer Birch, prosecuting, told Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester: “Stella Proverb and Craig Gould were in a relationship until August, 2007.

“A restraining order was imposed in March, 2008. The defendant made telephone calls and left letters on her car while she was at work. He was jailed for this breach.”

“On the day of his sentencing he contacted the complainant by telephone and then by a number of letters to her and her son.

“Three separate letters were addressed to her. The letters referred to her son and the third letter made reference to the telephone calls he made from prison and said that, ‘all I wanted to do is say sorry’.”

“The letters change in content from apologies to reference to her being evil as she wouldn’t talk to him on the telephone.

“He was interviewed in prison and admitted to writing the letters.”

“The victim said in a statement that she is increasingly scared of his harassment.”

Gould pleaded guilty to two charges of harassment and was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months. He was also given a supervision order for 18 months.

Saul Brady, defending, said: “There is no contact with the complainant and he now does not want any contact at all. There is hope of future compliance with the order.”

Judge Adrian Smith said: “I give you credit for pleading guilty but by breaking the restraining order you are also showing a complete disregard for the court.

“You really have to come to terms with the breakdown of the relationship and let go.”