Stalker jailed after making former partner’s life a “living hell”

Posted on Wednesday 7 June 2023

A stalker who “tortured” his ex-partner by bombarding her with degrading and offensive messages has been jailed following a lengthy police investigation. 

Stuart Bell began his reign of abuse following the breakdown of the former couple’s relationship in 2020. 

Despite being made subject to a restraining order, the 51-year-old would send the woman multiple messages and emails a day, many of which were abusive, threatening, or degrading towards her. 

When questioned by police, Bell tried to persuade his nephew to take responsibility for sending the messages.  

In a row over money, Bell also set up a fake email account and forged his former partner’s signature on documents provided to a solicitor about the transfer of housing assets, as well as taunting her about selling her Mercedes car despite agreeing to hand it over to her as part of their separation agreement. 

In a victim impact statement, the woman told how the stress of the case coming to court left her having suicidal thoughts.  

“I have been the recipient of a constant and unending reign of abuse and harassment from Stuart since the end of our relationship. I feel unsafe both at home, at work, and in public,” she said. 

“My mental health is also seriously depleting; I can no longer sleep as I live in a constant cycle of worry about what Stuart will do next. 

“At one point I was receiving anywhere between ten to 30 messages or emails hounding me daily. I felt like I couldn’t go a day without being tortured by him.” 

Bell, of Darlington, pleaded guilty to stalking, breaching a restraining order, forgery, and perverting the course of justice. 

He appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Monday (June 5), where he was jailed for four years and four months. 

His older sister, Mandy Bell, also found herself in court for perverting the course of justice for falsely co-signing legal documents in relation to the transfer of housing assets. 

The 55-year-old, of Darlington, was sentenced to ten months in prison, suspended for 12 months. 

Sergeant Kerris Dawson, from Durham Constabulary, led the investigation. She said: “For three years, Bell has made his former partner’s life a living hell by harassing her, stalking her, and at times making her fear for her own safety. 

“She has shown great strength throughout the course of this investigation, so I am pleased we have been able to get her the justice she so very deserves. I hope she can now begin to rebuild her life and move on.” 

Are you or someone you know suffering at the hands of a stalker or abuser? 

Please know you are not alone – there are people who can and will help. 

Call police on 999 if there is an immediate threat, or report it to us on 101 if it’s not an emergency. 

Further advice is available from the National Stalking Helping on 0808 802 0300 or by visiting www.gov.uk/report-stalker 

Local charity Harbour also offers support for victims and survivors of abuse. Call 03000 20 2525 or visit