A stalker who sent his victim a Facebook friend request with a profile picture showing her name tattooed across his back has been jailed.
Nigel Blackburn, 43, left the woman fearing he would kill her as his behaviour towards her escalated over several months. Newcastle Crown Court heard he was given a restraining order banning him from contacting the woman after he was jailed for attacking her last November.
Breach of restraining order
He was released in March and by July 16 he was in breach of that order standing outside her home screaming abuse. The woman then received a Facebook request from Blackburn and the profile picture showed he had her name – Lindsay – inked across his upper back in huge lettering.
Prosecutor Emily Sanderson said: 'She knew it was the defendant and was concerned he had only been released from prison in March and thought he was on a tag. She received a Facebook friend request from him. The profile picture showed a large tattoo across his back, of her name.'
Further harassment
Blackburn also contacted two of the woman's friends telling them he still loved her. Ms Sanderson added: 'Her father also received a Facebook request from the defendant, with the same profile picture.'
The court heard the woman was so disturbed by Blackburn's behaviour she has moved out of the area. 'She genuinely fears if she stays at home the defendant will attend and kill her,' the prosecutor said.
In an impact statement, the woman said being in fear has become like a 'normality' and added: 'I just want him to leave me alone so I can move on with my life.'
Sentencing and defence
Blackburn's criminal record includes harassment of another ex-partner. He admitted breach of a restraining order and stalking causing fear of violence in relation to the latest offences. Judge Carolyn Scott sentenced him to two years behind bars.
Sam Faulks, defending, said Blackburn has been the victim of violence in the past, which included him having ammonia squired in his face which caused him to lose one of his eyes, being stabbed and attacked with a baseball bat. He said Blackburn has PTSD and has worked hard on remand to become an enhanced prisoner and added: 'It's not all grim, it's not all glum, there is hope.'
