A man became "besotted" with a work colleague and bombarded her with messages during a nine-month stalking campaign.
Raed Khirfan believed a relationship was forming with the woman after striking up a friendship with her while working in a Ferryhill pizza shop. The 38-year-old then began bombarding her with messages - despite the fact she had children and was in a stable relationship.
Despite being spoken to by the police, Khirfan again began sending her messages - some of which referenced marriage - and even turned up to her GP practice. Durham Crown Court heard his behaviour had a significant impact on the woman, who was left seriously distressed. On Friday, Khirfan, of Cheapside, Spennymoor, appeared at the court, via link from HMP Durham, to be sentenced for stalking. He required an interpreter throughout the proceedings.
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Jonathan Walker, prosecuting, said Khirfan became "besotted" with the woman between August and December last year. He then began to send her numerous messages and even said they should get married. The woman soon became concerned and she contacted the police in April, this year, complaining that Khirfan was harassing her. He was then given a referral to a programme to address his behaviour.
Mr Walker said that the messaging then stopped, but resumed a couple of weeks later, with Khirfan sending her pictures of a wedding dress, love hearts and telling her that he loved her. The woman also believed he was watching her when with her children and in her garden. He even showed up to one of her GP appointments, the court was told.
Mr Walker said: "In May, a friend of the complainant urged the defendant to desist approaching her in the street and there was something of a confrontation. The defendant acted in a mildly aggressive fashion." Following the confrontation, Khirfan was again reported to the police and he was arrested.
In a victim impact statement, the woman said she already struggled with her mental health, but Khirfan's behaviour exasperated it and her anxiety medication had to be increased. She added that she no longer feels safe in her own home and feels "uncomfortable and physically sick".
Emma Williams, defending, said: "The defendant and the complainant worked together and started a friendship, he believed a relationship was forming between them. This ceased when he was arrested in April and he stopped contact initially. He then received information from a third party that the complainant was upset at the breakdown of this friendship - a relationship in his mind. He stupidly believed this third party and decided to contact her."
She added: "He now accepts she didn't want that contact and says he is very sorry and wishes to apologise. He is ashamed of his actions. All of his family live in Jordan and he has a young child. His family are not aware he is in custody at the moment."
Sentencing Khirfan, Judge Ray Singh said that for "no apparent reason you became besotted with the complainant" and bombarded her with messages. He jailed Khirfan for 10 months and imposed a 10 year restraining order - banning contact with the woman.
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