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Middlesbrough 'Tik Tok stalker' jailed for breaching order | |
(12 days later) | |
Paul Belton has been sentenced to 32 weeks in jail after viewing his ex-wife's TikTok videos | Paul Belton has been sentenced to 32 weeks in jail after viewing his ex-wife's TikTok videos |
A man has been jailed after breaching the terms of his stalking protection order (SPO) by viewing his ex-wife's TikTok videos. | A man has been jailed after breaching the terms of his stalking protection order (SPO) by viewing his ex-wife's TikTok videos. |
Paul Belton, 47, of Middlesbrough was found guilty earlier this month and sentenced to 32 weeks at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Thursday. | Paul Belton, 47, of Middlesbrough was found guilty earlier this month and sentenced to 32 weeks at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Thursday. |
The court heard he accessed the TikTok page in August 2024 and at the same time transferred small amounts of money into her bank account in a further breach of the SPO. | The court heard he accessed the TikTok page in August 2024 and at the same time transferred small amounts of money into her bank account in a further breach of the SPO. |
Belton's ex Amy, whose surname the BBC has agreed not to use, said she hoped the sentence will give him an opportunity to "reflect" on his actions and change his behaviour. | Belton's ex Amy, whose surname the BBC has agreed not to use, said she hoped the sentence will give him an opportunity to "reflect" on his actions and change his behaviour. |
Amy, Belton's ex-wife, is "relieved" at his sentence | Amy, Belton's ex-wife, is "relieved" at his sentence |
The couple split in 2021 but Belton began stalking and harassing her. | The couple split in 2021 but Belton began stalking and harassing her. |
Amy told the BBC in an earlier interview that she obtained a harassment order and non-molestation order before officers at Cleveland Police suggested they obtain an SPO on her behalf in August 2023. | Amy told the BBC in an earlier interview that she obtained a harassment order and non-molestation order before officers at Cleveland Police suggested they obtain an SPO on her behalf in August 2023. |
People who have an SPO applied to them can be charged with a criminal offence if they breach its terms. | People who have an SPO applied to them can be charged with a criminal offence if they breach its terms. |
Assistant Chief Constable Richard Baker told the BBC stalking ruins the day to day lives of victims. | Assistant Chief Constable Richard Baker told the BBC stalking ruins the day to day lives of victims. |
Speaking directly to stalkers, he said: "Do not think this is a low level way of traumatising or tormenting an ex partner. | Speaking directly to stalkers, he said: "Do not think this is a low level way of traumatising or tormenting an ex partner. |
"It causes significant mental and physical trauma to victims - we will look at every way we can to charge you and put you before the courts." | "It causes significant mental and physical trauma to victims - we will look at every way we can to charge you and put you before the courts." |
Sentencing Belton, District Judge Marie Mallon said it was not the way he had contacted his ex-wife that was important, it was the fact that he had done so at all and the psychological impact it had on her. | Sentencing Belton, District Judge Marie Mallon said it was not the way he had contacted his ex-wife that was important, it was the fact that he had done so at all and the psychological impact it had on her. |
She reminded Belton he needed to "cease all contact" and that he was subject to the terms of the SPO for a "long time" and failure to comply would result in a longer sentence. | She reminded Belton he needed to "cease all contact" and that he was subject to the terms of the SPO for a "long time" and failure to comply would result in a longer sentence. |
His solicitor Tokeer Amin told the court Belton "accepts the findings". | His solicitor Tokeer Amin told the court Belton "accepts the findings". |
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