Crying Hebburn stalker bombarded ex-girlfriend with…

Crying Hebburn stalker bombarded ex-girlfriend with hundreds of calls and messages

A stalker bombarded his ex-partner with hundreds of unwanted calls and messages that left her feeling "anxious and scared".

Alex McCaffery repeatedly called and sent the woman text messages after she ended their relationship for the second time last year. As well as the messages, McCaffery scared the woman by parking outside of her home and watching her.

McCaffery's behaviour left the woman battling mental health issues and feeling like she was on constant "high alert". McCaffery has now been put behind bars for stalking the woman.

On Thursday, the 30-year-old, of Blackpool Parade, Hebburn, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court via link from HMP Durham to be sentenced for stalking. He had pleaded guilty to the offence, which was committed between December 26 last year and February 27 this year.

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The court heard that McCaffery and the woman had been in a seven year relationship, which she ended in February 2021. However, the pair rekindled the relationship in June last year, which went on to "deteriorate" for a second time and she ended the relationship once again on Boxing Day last year.

Ellen Wright, prosecuting, said: "She told him she didn't want any further contact with him, but the defendant has repeatedly called and texted her. When she didn't reply, he would attend her address or call on social media."

The court heard that between January 1 and January 12 this year, McCaffery called his ex-partner over 100 times and made 30 WhatsApp calls. He was then arrested and bailed, with conditions not to contact the woman - but he failed to abide by the order.

McCaffery would call the woman from private numbers and in one call mentioned a "white Clio", when she looked out of her window, she saw a car matching that description parked outside of her home. Throughout February, he continued to make calls and the woman asked a male friend to attend her home for safety one evening - but McCaffery was watching and threatened to damage the man's work van.

Ms Wright said: "At the time of the calls, a male friend went to her address due to concerns for her welfare. The defendant messaged her saying, 'you had better get that person out of your house otherwise I'll smash (the van) up. You have 10 seconds.'"

Due to concerns for his work van, the man left the woman's home and another male friend came round to make her feel safe. The court heard that McCaffery continued to send her messages that made it clear he was located somewhere near her home and he was once again arrested.

In a victim statement, the woman said McCaffery's actions left her feeling "drained, anxious and scared" as well as being "always on high alert". She added that her mental health had been impacted and was not eating properly.

The court heard McCaffery, who left the woman a "nervous wreck", had eight previous convictions for 10 offences, including robbery and malicious communications. He also had previous convictions relating to other past relationships.

Fiona Lamb, defending, said McCaffery is a dad-of-five and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and is "deeply ashamed of his actions". She said: "He doesn't feel any anger towards her, he brought everything upon himself. He just wants her to be happy."

Ms Lamb added McCaffery- who cried throughout the court hearing - had been an unofficial carer for his grandparents and that he now wants to complete his prison sentence in a "positive manner".

McCaffery was jailed for 12 months and a restraining order was imposed which will last until further order.

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