‘I am sorry. It was stupid behaviour and I deeply apologise’
Lee Wray appeared at Grimsby Crown Court(Image: Humberside Police)
A stalker who pestered two women told a judge that his behaviour had been “stupid” – and he gave an unreserved apology to his victims. Lee Wray had been sleeping in a tent in Hull when his five-year relationship with his partner came to an end.
But he started calling round at the homes of her daughter and mother, threatening to smash the windows at their homes, a court heard. Wray, 41, of Anlaby Road, west Hull, admitted two offences of stalking, with the intention of causing fear of violence, between May 2023 and January this year.
Georgia Bradley, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that doorbell camera footage identified Wray at his ex-partner’s daughter’s home, where she looked after her children. He had sent a series of messages online demanding to speak to his ex-partner.
He appeared at the front door of the daughter’s home in January this year. He shouted that he wanted to speak to his ex-partner and threatened to smash the windows of the home.
When the daughter refused to respond, he went to the back of the property and threatened to use a brick to smash the windows. The daughter and her children all hid in their own home.
Wray went to the same property three times in one week in March last year. He demanded his belongings. After his arrest in January this year, he told police during interview about the breakdown of his relationship.
“He was asked if he was doing these things to scare her,” said Miss Bradley. Wray replied: “Possibly.”
Miss Bradley said that his behaviour caused a lot of distress to the ex-partner’s family. Wray was in breach of a one-year community order imposed in October last year.
Hannah Turner, mitigating, said that Wray had been living in a tent following the separation. He now recognised that the relationship was over and that there was no need for further contact.
Recorder Mark McKone KC said the behaviour had caused serious distress and psychological harm to the relatives. Wray was given a 20-month suspended prison sentence, 20 days’ rehabilitation and a six-month 7pm to 5am curfew.
He was given a five-year restraining order, banning him from entering Littleham Close and Memory Lane, Hull. Wray told the court: “I am sorry. It was stupid behaviour and I deeply apologise.”
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