A MAN who stalked his terrified ex-partner has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates in York.

Gordon Bell, 38, had been previously found guilty of stalking the York woman, after a trial at York Magistrates’ Court.

Yesterday a bench of three magistrates handed him a two year suspended prison sentence with probation service supervision, and 120 hours of unpaid work for his crime, as well as £1010 in court costs.

The court heard Bell, of Nunnery Lane, had watched a new partner arrive at his ex's house on the evening on November 24, 2013 before texting her abuse and later following the man home to Leeds, where he argued with him in a car park in the middle of the night.

Prosecutor Kathryn Reeve told the magistrates the Bell had distressed his former partner, the mother of two of his children, even more by turning up at her workplace immediately after he had been arrested and released on bail for the earlier incident.

The stalking was also witnessed first-hand by a support worker from IDAS (the Independent Domestic Abuse Support), who was in the victim's home when Bell abused her over the phone.

The court heard a victim personal statement from the victim, who said she had suffered hair loss and weight loss, and a serious panic attack which left her with nerve problems in her neck and shoulder.

North Yorkshire Police worked with IDAS throughout the investigation, and speaking after the court hearing Detective Constable Tracey Pearson said: “I pay tribute to [the victim] who has remained strong and focused throughout the distressing criminal justice process.

“We take all reports of domestic abuse very seriously and recognise the psychological and emotional trauma suffered by victims, which can be utterly devastating."

She urged other victims not to suffer in silence but to contact the police and speak to a specialist domestic abuse police officer.

A spokeswoman from IDAS added: “We are pleased that this stalking and harassment case is over for the victim and she can move on with her life free from fear."

Victims can contact North Yorkshire Police by calling 101, select option 1, and pass details to the Force Control Room, can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or can call the IDAS 24 hour confidential helpline on 03000 110 110.

If you feel threatened or require emergency assistance, dial 999. More information is at www.northyorkshire.police.uk/domesticabuse.