Stalker's Door Note Exposes 12-Year Affair in Sinister Paternity Campaign
A 12-year affair turned into a terrifying ordeal when a stalker's relentless pursuit to determine the paternity of his former lover's children culminated in him hammering on her door and leaving a note for her husband that exposed their secret relationship.
Courtroom Revelations of a Lengthy Affair
Jamie Nielson, 41, from Merseyside, pleaded guilty to stalking, driving while disqualified, and driving without a licence at Liverpool Crown Court. The court heard that Nielson had known the victim for 15 years, engaging in an "on-off" affair that spanned 12 years, beginning after she married her husband in 2013.
During periods when the affair was "off," the victim blocked Nielson's number to prevent contact. However, on December 4 last year, the situation escalated dramatically when she received 37 messages from him overnight.
Escalating Harassment and Confrontation
When the woman left for work that morning, she noticed Nielson following her. Despite her pleas for him to leave her alone, he approached her at her workplace at 8:40 am, only departing when challenged by a passerby.
The harassment intensified later that night. At 11:30 pm, while the victim was at home with her husband and children, Nielson appeared at the house and began hammering on the door. He then posted a note detailing the affair for her husband to find before leaving the property temporarily.
Prosecutor Ms. Iqbal described how Nielson returned at 3 am and began beeping his car horn. His campaign continued the next morning at 10:30 am when he was spotted sitting outside the address, beeping his horn and waving at the victim from his car.
Dangerous Pursuit and Police Intervention
Three days later on December 8 at 6:20 am, Nielson approached the victim again as she left for work. After she told him to "go away" and drove toward Crosby, he pursued her in his black Volkswagen Golf, forcing her to pull over to avoid a crash.
"He went around to the front of the car and with his fists began to bang on the bonnet of her car," Ms. Iqbal told the court. The frightened woman subsequently called the police, bringing the immediate danger to an end.
Defence Arguments and Previous Convictions
Defending Nielson, Olivia Bell urged the court to accept his remorse as genuine, stating he regretted the distress caused. She explained that Nielson questioned the paternity of two of the three children born during their affair, which motivated his inappropriate contact.
"There were no threats of violence. Simply this was a man who struggled to lose what he called the love of his life following a 12-year affair and wanted to seek information about the paternity of the children," Bell said.
Nielson also admitted breaching a 12-month suspended sentence handed to him in September 2025 for cannabis-related offences. The breaches involved the stalking and driving offences, along with failure to follow his curfew between December 1 and 8, 2025. He has a total of 11 previous convictions for 21 offences, including multiple driving violations.
Judge's Sentencing and Restraining Order
In sentencing, Judge Louise Brandon emphasized the severe impact on the victim: "It's quite clear the fear and distress you caused has had a physical and emotional impact. It's affected how she conducted her day to day activities. She has incurred expenses and she has described the impact these actions have had on her life."
The judge determined the stalking represented high culpability due to its persistent nature over an extended period, specifically noting Nielson's behavior was designed to maximize fear and distress, including appearing at the victim's family home.
Judge Brandon sentenced Nielson to 18 weeks in prison for stalking and 8 weeks for driving offences. She also activated 39 weeks of his existing suspended sentence, resulting in a total prison term of 65 weeks (one year and two months). Additionally, Nielson received a driving ban of over two years and a restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim for seven years.
