A Newcastle man who stalked a woman for years, calling her a "little rat" and a "skank," and attempted to punch her partner, has been handed a 24-month community order at Newcastle Crown Court.
Robert Jewitt, 37, of Downham, East Denton, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to stalking and common assault. The court heard how he stalked the woman between 2022 and 2025.
Campaign of harassment
Matthew Hopkins, prosecuting, said Jewitt and the woman initially met as children but had nothing to do with each other. She later joined the gym he attended, and he tried to add her on Facebook, but she did not accept.
The court heard they later bumped into each other while she was walking her dog. Jewitt then called her a "little rat" and said: "Who the f*** do you think you are ignoring me?"
Mr Hopkins said: "He claimed she had attempted to kiss him in the gym, which wasn't true, she was gagging for him, couldn't leave him alone and couldn't be without him."
Incident at Morrisons
Jewitt also sent a message to the woman's mother, referring to her as his mother-in-law. In the message, he said: "Tell her come to mine, sleep over, waiting long time, can't wait no longer."
On another occasion, the woman was at Morrisons with her young child and her then partner. Her partner accused Jewitt of spitting on the woman, and he responded by saying: "So f***ing what howay man" before disappearing to the toilets.
CCTV footage showed he had spat on the ground. Mr Hopkins said the woman and her partner were then standing outside when Jewitt attempted to punch him. He said: "The defendant ran out of the store and swung a punch at him but he managed to duck. He says 'Look at that f***ing stupid *** you're with. What do you call that little f***ing skank'."
Arrest and sentence
Jewitt was arrested following the incident on April 6 last year and released on bail conditions. On July 18 last year, the woman was at a doctors surgery next to the Morrisons store when she saw Jewitt behind her staring at her and rang 999. He was sat on a bench outside the Morrisons with his family when police arrived.
In a victim impact statement, the woman said: "This person has caused me such stress and unnecessary anguish. I shouldn't have to worry about going shopping or my family's welfare in their own homes. I'm worried for the safety of myself and my family."
The court heard Jewitt had four previous convictions for four offences, the last being an offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Mairi Clancy, defending, told the court Jewitt had not been in any trouble since 2011. She said: "He's not somebody who troubles these courts and hasn't for a significant period of time."
Ms Clancy said Jewitt had had a difficult upbringing, with his mother unable to look after him due to her own difficulties and his father passing away when he was 16 due to his own mental health issues. She said the defendant lives a "relatively isolated life" where he just spends time with family members, and noted: "He's not actually contacted this complainant directly by telephone or social media." In relation to the common assault, she said: "There was no contact made because he ducked out the way."
Recorder Nathan Moxon told Jewitt: "Your offending has been prolonged but not necessarily persistent. You caused very serious distress to (the victim), who has had to change her lifestyle. You did offer an apology and I take that into account."
Recorder Moxon sentenced Jewitt to a 24-month community order with a probation requirement and a £200 fine. He also handed him a 10-year restraining order banning him from contacting the victim.
