AN obsessive stalker who threatened to burn his ex-partners house down and ‘smash’ her current partners face in has walked free from court.

Liam James, of Gibbons Road, Crewe, was found guilty after trial of stalking involving fear of violence at Warrington Magistrates Court.

Robert Earl, prosecuting, told the court during his sentencing on Tuesday that James was in a relationship with the victim, and they broke up after he began to develop ‘issues with alcohol’.

After the breakup it was heard how James persistently stalked the woman, who lives in the Latchford area of Warrington, over a number of months between the period of March 1, 2023, and January 8 this year.

Disturbing incidents included the 35-year-old turning up at her home ‘uninvited’ as well as to her son’s school.

On one occasion on October 8 last year, the defendant appeared at the swimming baths she was at with her son. She was forced to ‘sneak out’ of the facility to escape him.

And later that day he was caught on camera ‘riding past her house’.

The victim received various calls and texts over the months, some of the conversations leading to her fearing her own safety, with the court hearing of one occasion when James made ‘threats to burn her house down’ and ‘smash her future partners face in’.

Following a caution, James was eventually arrested and interviewed.

Mr Earl confirmed he had one previous conviction relating to abusive behaviour.

The defendant appeared for his sentencing with no defence barrister to represent him and when asked by the presiding judge, District Judge McGarva, if he had anything to say he responded, ‘no comment’, but passed the judge a character reference statement to read there and then.

Concluding the hearing, Judge McGarva said: “You were found guilty after a trial. The victim had to go through all this again and give evidence.

“This offending of a log period of time. It is very low level offending but it was over a long period of time.

“There was distress caused to the victim including psychological harm.

“There is some mitigation in terms of your medical situation. I must impose a prison sentence.”

James was handed a 12-week jail sentence suspended for 18 months. He was ordered to carry out 30 rehabilitation requirement days.

As well as attending the Building Better Relationships programme and carrying out 80 hours of unpaid work.

A restraining order was also imposed for the defendant to not contact the victim or attend her address in Latchford.

Judge McGarva added: “You have persistently stalked this lady over a number of years. You are not to contact the victim by any means.”