A MAN has been given a court order to leave his former partner alone, after she was left feeling ‘suicidal’ by his alleged behaviour.  

The allegations against Mark Grainger, 44, were outlined at Workington Magistrates’ Court as Cumbria Police applied for an interim Stalking Protection Order.

Grainger, of High Road, Kells, Whitehaven, has not been convicted of stalking but police applied for the civil order to give the woman greater protection.

During the hearing, Gail Heard, for Cumbria Police, said police were notified by a medical centre on June 26 of a woman showing suicidal tendencies who had expressed a deterioration in her mental health due to Grainger’s alleged behaviour.

Grainger was arrested that day for controlling and coercive behaviour and was then bailed with conditions not to contact the woman by any means.

An officer stressed to Grainger the importance of adhering to his bail conditions and told him that the woman wanted no contact with him.

But Ms Heard said Grainger ‘almost immediately’ breached the bail conditions by sending an email to the woman in the early hours of June 29.

The email said: “Babe, please don’t get me done. I miss you like mad.

“I forgive you for what you said. I will do anything you want.

“If you report this email, I will be in prison.”

He then sent another ‘very similar’ email later that morning. The woman later received text messages from Grainger, apologising for his behaviour.

Grainger was then arrested for stalking on July 1.

PC Smillie outlined the alleged behaviour that prompted the application. The court heard Grainger would 'belittle the woman', 'call her stupid' and 'put her down for everything'.

He accused her of affairs if she spoke to another male and ‘constantly monitored’ where she was. He financially checked everything she did and asked her what she spent money on.

Grainger showed her a weapon - a rolling pin with nails on the end – which police had seized.

PC Smillie said she did not believe that Grainger would stick to the bail conditions.

Grainger did not oppose the interim Stalking Protection Order order.

Charlotte Wood, chair of the magistrates panel, said it was appropriate to grant an interim order for six months.

Grainger must not contact the alleged victim by any means or enter the village of Moor Row. He must also allow for inspection of all electronic devices to monitor compliance with the order.