An astonishing case of harassment has led to a pub chef being thrown back behind bars. Richard Ellis, 32, defied a 10-year restraining order by bombarding his ex-partner with a shocking 769 texts and calls in just one day. His relentless behaviour was described by a judge as making her life a “misery”.
Despite a previous conviction for strangulation and serving time, Ellis couldn’t stay away. After his release, he created multiple fake Facebook accounts to threaten and harass his ex, even contacting her 66 times while she was with the police.
In court, Ellis’s attempts at rehabilitation—securing a job and stable housing—were acknowledged, but did little to mitigate the seriousness of his offences. His behaviour was labelled “utterly deplorable” by his own barrister. Ellis himself admitted he had “lost his head.”
The judge activated a suspended sentence for an unrelated theft, adding to his punishment. Now, Ellis faces 30 months in prison, forced to serve at least half before possible release on licence. This troubling case serves as a harsh reminder of the impact of harassment and the lengths to which some will go to torment others. The restraining order remains in place until 2034, ensuring his ex is protected for years to come. Let’s hope this sends a strong message to anyone considering similar behaviour: it won’t be tolerated.