Ripon man jailed and issued with restraining order for stalking and assaulting woman
A man from Ripon has been jailed for ten months and issued with a seven-year restraining order after stalking and assaulting a woman.
Ashley Paul Watson, 30, of Gallows Hill in Ripon, was jailed by York Crown Court on September 1 after pleading guilty to stalking involving serious alarm/distress and assault.
In one night, Watson made over 90 phone calls to a woman, made threats to cause damage to property, and attended her place of work to check on her whereabouts.
He also pleaded guilty to assault against the same woman on a separate occasion, pleading to both offences at the last minute on the day he was set to stand trial.
Watson was sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment for stalking and three months for assault, with the sentences to run consecutively.
Detective Constable Dean Slater, of Harrogate Safeguarding Investigation Team, said: “Watson originally denied the offences and was about to stand trial.
"Thankfully he did the right thing and pleaded guilty, sparing his victim the ordeal of having to give evidence in court.
“I am pleased that justice has been done and hope that the victim can now move on with her life.”