Wisbech man Robert Racey handed restraining order after months of stalking ex-partner

A man who left his ex-partner “scared” following months of stalking has been prevented from speaking to her after being handed a restraining order.

Robert Racey, 44, of Bath Road in Wisbech, was sentenced at King’s Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, having previously pleaded guilty to stalking without fear, alarm or distress.

He committed the offence against his ex-partner between October 24 last year and January 7 this year.

On the first occasion, she saw him standing outside her house in Thetford. She asked him to leave, but he refused to do so.

Over the next few months, he sent her photographs and 125 unwanted Facebook messages - some of which were “slightly unpleasant”, according to crown prosecutor Holly Postle.

One such message saw him tell the victim he was going to “start destroying your family”.

A personal statement provided by the victim which was read aloud in court said she has been left “scared to go outside in case I come face to face with Robert”.

She is “no longer motivated to do things that I love”, is becoming depressed and struggles to sleep.

“I don’t want to reach out to people because I feel like they won’t care,” it added.

The victim requested a restraining order be put in place.

Mitigating, solicitor Alison Muir said Racey has “got over” the relationship since the stalking took place.

Magistrates handed Racey an 18-month community order. As part of that, he will have to complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement sessions and 120 hours of unpaid work.

A 12-month restraining order was put in place which restricts him from contacting the victim or attending her home address.

Racey will also pay £50 in court costs and a £114 victim surcharge.