Man banned from Washington after stalking woman who worked in The Galleries

Stephen Rendle, 50, admitted the charge of stalking involving serious alarm or distress, which included taking photographs and recordings with his phone and also tracking the victim’s vehicle.

Teesside Magistrates’ Court heard the stalking took place between April 22, 2019, and November 8, 2019.

Glenda Beck, prosecuting, said in her statement the victim said she is constantly worried and nervous that he will turn up.

She said: “I am worried about what lengths he will go to to get to me.”

Ms Beck said the victim said she is very stressed and cannot go about her daily life as usual because she is worried that Rendle is watching her.

She said: “She cried when she was shown how much information the defendant had on that phone.

“She is in a state of shock and has gone through all sorts of emotions.”

The court heard the stalking had also involved the victim’s family and she was frightened that he would turn up, especially when her children were there.

Rendle, of Elmway, Chester-le-Street, told the court he also has a property in Washington.

District Judge, Kathryn Meek, sent the case to Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing, which will take place on Monday, December 23, at 2.30pm.

In the meantime Rendle was released on conditional bail, which bans him from entering Washington or going anywhere he knows the victim frequents or contacting the victim or her family in any way.