Harehills pensioner who continued to harass ex-partner after spying on her home with binoculars is jailed at Leeds Crown Court

Kari Bowman left the woman feeling unsafe in her own home after she endured harassment for four years after their relationship ended, Leeds Crown Court heard.

Louise Pryke, prosecuting, said Bowman repeatedly turned up at the woman's address and even watched her home with binoculars from woods near her home.

The court heard he was convicted of harassment in 2016 in connection with the binoculars incident.

A restraining order was imposed in December 2016, but 67-year-old Bowman, of Banstead Street West, Harehills, has repeatedly breached it.

Bowman breached the order in 2017 by approaching the woman in a supermarket and he breached it again in 2018 by going tro her home address.

Miss Pryke said in May 2019 the woman called police again after she received a number of letters from Bowman.

Miss Pryke said the letters were not threatening, but "disturbing and confusing as Bowman was asking if she would take him back and told her about his day to day activities.

MIss Pryke said on February 2, Bowman knocked on the woman's door and stayed at the doorway for around five minutes before hanging a camera on the door handle.

Miss Pryke said the woman has increased security measures at her home and is "constantly looking over her shoulder."

Miss Pryke said the woman wrote in a victim personal statement: "Me and my close family are sick and tired of being harassed by Mr Bowman.

"He has caused us great alarm and distress, which has been going on now for four years.

"I do not feel safe in my own home anymore and it is adversely affecting my health."

Bowman admitted harassment, breach of a restraining order and breach of a conditional discharge.

Holly Clegg, mitigating, said Bowman has been in custody since at least February 4.

The court heard he suffers from mental health problems.

Handing Bowman a 10 month jail sentence, Judge Tom Bayliss QC told him: "If you commit any more breaches of the restraining order it will be a much longer sentence."

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Laura Collins