A MAN who pursued a course of harassment in Stockbridge made his victim feel ‘physically sick’ and she still feels unsettled in her own home.

Clare Stephens was subjected to unwanted contact from Nicholas Gibbons, 61, via text message, email as well as messages left on her vehicle, which he also took her bank cards from.

The ordeal began earlier this year after Miss Stephens tried breaking off a relationship with him in January.

Gibbons pleaded guilty earlier this month to one count of harassment at Basingstoke Magistrates Court between February 18, and March 9, and was given a community order and restraining order for his actions.

When contacted by the Advertiser, Miss Stephens said: “I am trying to put the whole situation behind me, it has been a horrific time for myself, family and friends and I just want to get on with my life.

“Now that Mr Gibbons has a conviction and restraining order I feel that I can do that, all I ever wanted was for him to leave me alone.”

In his court appearance on June 4, Gibbons, of The Heath, Colchester, was ordered to complete a course of rehabilitation and pay £170 court costs and victim surcharge.

He was also given a two-year restraining order to stop him from contacting Miss Stephens directly or indirectly.

In Miss Stephens’ victim impact statement, she expressed how the harassment affected her work and her mental health, and she now receives counselling to deal with the trauma of the situation.

In her statement, she said: “It seemed everywhere I went NG [Nicholas Gibbons] would drive by or I would return to my vehicle to find a letter on my windscreen, it made me extremely uneasy and conscious about where I was going and what I was doing.

“I have had to change my weekly working pattern as he knew the previous pattern which enabled him to locate me.

“It makes me feel anxious as I do not know what he is going to do next.

“It is a truly horrible feeling to be constantly looking over your shoulder wherever you go and that no matter what measures you take still not feel comfortable in your own home or in the places you previously felt safe and secure.

“The incidents caused me to question myself and others and I find it hard to trust anyone.”