Man in court for harassing ex

Trevor Leathley followed Claire Milnes from Legends to Brooklands Bar in Bradford Road on September 10 where he went up to her and swore at her because he was unhappy their 14-year-old daughter was planning on changing her name.

Prosecuting at Batley and Dewsbury Magistrates’ Court on Friday, Zahid Hussain said the incident left Miss Milnes very shaken and scared.

Leathley had previously been banned from contacting Miss Miles by a restraining order, but once it had expired Mr Hussain said Leathley began showing up outside Miss Milnes’ work in Birstall.

Although disturbed by his presence, she didn’t contact the police.

Mr Hussain said after the Brooklands Bar incident, Miss Milnes saw Leathley, 62, at Legends several times while she was on nights out when he became aggressive towards her, prompting her to contact the police.

Mr Hussain said: “These incidents have left Miss Milnes afraid to go into Batley town centre in case she sees him because she is not sure what he is capable of and how he will react when he sees her.

“She has been harassed, intimidated, stressed and worried.”

Leathley, of Wellington Street, Dewsbury, pleaded guilty to harassment without violence on the day a trial was to be heard. He has a previous conviction for harassment and a caution for sending indecent messages.

Mr Hussain applied for a restraining order banning Leathley from contacting Miss Milnes or being with 100 yards of her home. He also applied for an exclusion order, banning him from going to Legends so Miss Milnes could enjoy a night there without fear of seeing him.

Mitigating, Simon Lindley said Leathley had always accepted he shouted and swore at Miss Milnes in Brooklands Bar, but he denied going to her work or being aggressive with her on other nights out.

Mr Lindley said: “There are always two sides to every story. This lady has put two and two together and come up with a much bigger number.

“He has not been deliberately going near her, quite the contrary; he doesn’t want to see her. He has learned his lesson.”

Mr Lindley said he would not oppose a new restraining order, but did take issue with the exclusion order as Legends was the only bar he attended.

Leathley will be sentenced on July 12.