Stalker tormented ex with threats and visits
BBCA stalker who refused to accept the end of his relationship tormented his ex-partner with threats and visits to her home, a court has heard.
Mohammed Elgamal, 21, repeatedly breached police warnings when he went to his ex-girlfriend's home last summer, Teesside Crown Court heard.
The woman said she had to be admitted to hospital for mental health treatment because of the anxiety caused by Elgamal and the campaign of abuse had "destroyed" her.
Despite probation officers' concerns about Elgamal, his two-year jail term for stalking with a fear of violence was suspended for two years.
Elgamal and the woman had been in a relationship for about 18 months when she decided to end it in June due to his abusive and controlling behaviour, the court heard.
When she went to collect her belongings from his home, he attacked her and tried to stop her leaving, prosecutor Mairi Clancy said.
Over the course of a week, he went to her home every day, sometimes armed with flowers, and demanded to be let in, the court heard.
'Looking over shoulder'
Usually the terrified woman refused to admit him, but on one occasion he was able to force his way in and only left when she sought help from a neighbour.
He continued to go to her home and follow her when she was out even after being arrested and released on bail with a condition to stay away from her, the court heard.
In a statement read to the court, the woman said their relationship had been "good at first" but within a few weeks he was being physically and verbally abusive and controlling.
She said his stalking campaign had been devastating, she had lost 6st (38kg) in weight through anxiety and she had been admitted to hospital for mental health treatment.
The woman said she used to enjoy going out to exercise sessions and singing with her friends but she no longer did either, adding she now just sat at home alone.
She said she was "constantly" looking over her shoulder and could hear Elgamal's voice in her head which was making her "crazy".
"I would not wish these feelings on anyone," the woman said. "They have destroyed me as a person."
'Jealous and obsessive'
The court heard Elgamal, of Churchill Road in Middlesbrough, had initially denied any wrongdoing but pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial.
Recorder Anthony Hawks said Elgamal was "immature and obsessive" and his actions had been "disastrous" for the woman.
But he said he had told Elagmal a suspended sentence would be considered if the defendant "owned up" to his actions and took steps to address his "jealous and obsessive" behaviour.
The judge said he was "disappointed" to read a probation service report in which the author expressed concerns about Elgamal but he said it did not "rule out" dealing with the stalker in the community rather than prison.
As part of his sentence, Elgamal must attend a building better relationships course and perform 100 hours unpaid work.
He was also made subject of an electronically-monitored exclusion zone and indefinite restraining order banning him from approaching or contacting his ex-partner.