Sunderland man ordered to stay away from ex who told a court 'I don’t think that he’ll ever leave me alone'

South Tyneside Law Courts. Picture by FRANK REID.

District Judge Kathryn Meek told Keith Hogan, 44, he would likely be jailed if he continued to harass his former on-off partner of seven years.

Hogan, of D'Arcy Court, Hendon, hounded her at home and at work at a shop inside Sunderland’s central Bridges shopping centre.

It led the woman to fear she would never be able to shake him off – even after he started at least one other relationship.

Prosecutor Jonathan Hanratty told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court Hogan went to her home four times in March, despite her objections.

And he also turned up at her workplace twice that month – and ominously also knows of a second location where she works.

Hogan has now been handed a two-year restraining order to stay away from any place she attends – and he also cannot ask a third party to get in touch.

Mr Hanratty said: “She says that he does have a bad temper that is affected by drink.

“Their relationship broke down in 2019 and the defendant attended her home on March 10, 12, 14 and 21.

“He attended her place of work on March 21 and March 25. On one occasion at her home, he asked for money for bus fare.”

In a victim statement read to the court, his victim said: “I don’t think that he’ll ever leave me alone. I’m his fall-back position.”

Tom Morgan, defending, said Hogan’s case was summed up well in a Probation Service report, supplied to the court.

Hogan was also made subject to a 24-month community order, which carries a requirement he undertakes up to 20 days of rehabilitation work with the Probation Service.

It also compels him to sit up to 30 sessions of the Building Better Relationships programme.

Hogan pleaded guilty to harassment without violence on the day of his trial after the woman attended court to give evidence, and returned to court for sentencing.

He was fined £150 and must pay £150 court costs and a £95 victim surcharge, all of which will be added to the £1,272 he already owes the court.

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