A Cumbrian mayor who used his position to stalk a barmaid has been convicted of stalking. Graham Roberts, 72, accessed an address for the woman via the electoral roll, but sent the letters to the wrong address, causing distress to the recipient and the intended victim. * The mayor, who is also chairman of the Whitehaven town council, pleaded guilty to stalking without fear. * Pamela Fee, the prosecutor, stated that a woman approached the police with letters she had been receiving, but she didn’t know who they were from. * The letters, which included a business card with the mayor’s name, stated that he loved the woman and offered her £40 in cash.
| Key Points |
|---|
| Graham Roberts, 72, accessed an address for the woman via the electoral roll. |
| He sent the letters to the wrong address. |
| The woman who received the letters took them to the police, who then found the intended victim. |
Roberts, who is also chairman of the Whitehaven town council, accepted that he had sent the letters and obtained the information of where he thought the woman was living. He said he was in love with her and made full admissions to the behaviour. “
“I love you, I love you, I love you,”
” the letters stated. “You are my soulmate, my everything. I want to be with you to love and protect you.”
”
He also made comments about things she had worn, which caused concern for the intended victim. The woman who was the intended recipient of the letters told police that Roberts was a regular in the pub and ‘part of the furniture’. She said he would follow her around and try to engage her in conversation. She would speak back in a friendly manner. But his behaviour “seemed strange” at times, especially when she was with a boyfriend or male friends. She said his behaviour was ‘very different’ to when she was on her own. The prosecutor stated that there was cause for concern for both the woman who received the letters and the intended victim. The woman who received the letters had stopped running at night because she was scared someone was watching her or following her. The intended victim, who had been unaware of the letters, told police that Roberts was’regularly seeking’ her out while she was in the pub. She said that there was “some sophistication” in finding out the address, but the wrong address was obtained and somebody else was written to. Roberts had used ‘his position to get the information from the electoral roll’, the prosecutor said. Mike Woolaghan, representing Roberts, said mitigation would be given in full when he returns to court to be sentenced.
| Cause for Concern |
|---|
| The woman who received the letters was scared and stopped running at night. |
| The intended victim was unaware of the letters and was targeted by the mayor. |
| Roberts’ use of his position to obtain the address caused concern. |
Roberts’ actions have highlighted the need for vigilance and awareness in situations where someone may be using their position to exploit or manipulate others. In conclusion, the case highlights the importance of being aware of the potential for stalking and exploitation, particularly in situations where someone may be using their position to gain an advantage. By being vigilant and taking steps to prevent such behavior, we can help protect those who may be vulnerable to exploitation or manipulation.
