A former Super League rugby player who stalked his ex-partner and the man he believed she was seeing has been given a suspended prison sentence. Michael Cooper, 37, who once played for Warrington Wolves and Australia's St George Illawarra Dragons, admitted two counts of stalking involving fear of violence at Liverpool Crown Court in June.
Campaign of abuse
Cooper stalked Imogen Walker and Benjamin Howarth for two months between October and December 2024, prosecutor Matthew Dixon said. His relationship with Ms Walker had ended earlier that year, and the pair had initially stayed in contact before losing touch.
Cooper, of Stansfield Drive, Grappenhall, Warrington, sent a Facebook message to Mr Howarth that he "felt to be threatening". After being blocked, Cooper messaged him again from another account, saying "he was giving him one chance and was offering a face to face chat".
On December 9, he sent another Facebook message to Mr Howarth, which was deleted, and also a communication request on LinkedIn. That same day, he went to Ms Walker's house and left a note calling her a "cheat" and a "liar", adding: "By the way, he's cheating on you."
Threats and damage
He returned on December 13, leaving "a number of notes" on Ms Walker's car, warning: "You will know what real pain feels like." Another note said: "Give this note to Ben. This is his last chance. He's lucky to be alive." The following day, he carved the word "sl**" into Ms Walker's car and damaged her tyres.
Ms Walker said the incident left her "stressed" and struggling with unexpected costs, as she had to pay for repairs to her car and improved security measures to her house. Mr Howarth said he had installed CCTV cameras and security lights at his home, and described the impact as "constant, exhausting and disruptive to all areas of my life". He said he cut ties with Ms Walker despite knowing her for over 10 years, and avoided pursuing a relationship with her "because I had to protect myself first".
Mitigation and sentence
Donal Maguire, defending, said Cooper had no previous convictions and was "a man of positive good character". He said the offending arose in a period of "acute personal crisis" following his medical retirement from professional rugby, which caused a "loss of identity as a sportsman" and led to alcohol and prescription medication abuse.
Maguire said Cooper had engaged with mental health support services, reduced his alcohol and drug use, and developed healthier coping strategies including avoiding social media, reading, walking, yoga and retreats. He said Cooper was "particularly close to his children" and had them at least three times a week.
Sentencing Cooper, Judge David Swinnerton said the behaviour "must have been terrifying", but noted there had been no repeat of it and that Cooper had "come to your senses". He said: "You have taken steps to deal with your mental health issues, you have taken steps to deal with your alcohol and drug misuse issues, and you are in a much better place now than you were."
The judge sentenced Cooper to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, ordered him to complete 20 rehabilitation days, and made two restraining orders banning him from contacting his victims for 10 years.
