SCAFFOLDING BOSS GIVEN A RESTRAINING ORDER FOR STALKING BEAUTICIAN EX

• Alan Harris, 58, of Fareham, Hampshire, caused Leah Haeger to feel 'shame'
• He had put up huge signs along her route to work saying 'I love you' 
• Harris was given 12-month restraining order at Portsmouth Magistrates Court

A business owner was given a restraining order today after he tried to 'woo' his ex-partner after they broke up by putting up huge signs along her route to work saying 'I love you'.

Alan Harris, 58, of Fareham, Hampshire, caused Leah Haeger to feel 'shame and embarrassment' by putting up six large placards - with her full name on - in public.

Mr Harris, who owns a scaffolding business, had the words 'Leah Haegar I love you' printed out on some of the signs and carefully placed them along the route she took to work.

A court heard that Harris also turned up to the beauty technician's workplace uninvited, sent her flowers, and even followed her in his car.

The 58-year-old told magistrates he is embarrassed at his 'immature' actions and did not intend to cause Ms Haeger distress.

Mr Harris has been given a 12 month restraining order, banning him from contacting his ex-partner or attending her home and workplace.

Prosecuting, Laura Jenking-Rees told Portsmouth Magistrates Court that Harris and Ms Haeger had been in a relationship from June 2021 to July 2023.

The prosecutor said that after they had separated, Harris stalked his ex-partner on several occasions throughout August 2023.

Ms Jenking-Rees said Harris sent flowers to the lash technicians' workplace in Botley Mills, Southampton, Hants, and also turned up uninvited 'with the hopes of trying to speak to her'.

The prosecutor continued: 'She told him to leave as she was working.She did not want any contact from him and did not want him to come to her.

'The behaviour persisted and on the 25th August, Mr Harris then decided to obtain six large signs - some of them saying ''Leah Haegar I love you'' - and place them along her route to work.'

The court heard these signs 'declaring' his love for her caused Ms Haeger to feel distressed.

'I feel shame and embarrassment, especially as [Harris] put my full name on the signs he made,' Ms Haegar said in a victim impact statement.

Ms Jenking-Rees added: 'She made it very clear that all the behaviour from him was unwanted.

'The behaviour made her feel scared because she didn't know what he would do next.

'She said since the incident, her mental health has declined massively.She checks the toilets at her workplace before she goes in.'

The prosecutor continued: 'There had to be some form of planning in order to get the signs to place along the route.'

The court heard on another occasion, in August, Harris also followed his ex-partner in the car.

'I would like this behaviour to stop,' Ms Haegar said.

Saleem Chaudhry, mitigating, told magistrates: 'Can I say from the outset, on behalf of Mr Harris, he is remorseful for his actions.

'It's quite clear that his approach to the breakdown of the relationship had been somewhat immature.

'He never intended to cause the distress that he did. There is a degree of embarrassment as well to the way he's acted.'

He added: 'He thought he was trying to woo her back but clearly not.'

Harris admitted one count of stalking without fear, alarm, or distress.

The 12-month restraining order bans him from contacting Ms Haegar, as well as prohibiting him from attending her home address or her work address.

Harris will also complete an 18 month community order consisting of 100 hours of unpaid work, and 39 days of rehabilitation activities as well as paying a total of £199 in costs.

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2024-05-08T18:49:05Z dg43tfdfdgfd