A stalking victim described how her life was made a misery by an obsessed ex-partner who continued to hound her after their relationship ended.
The harassment escalated from constant text messages and telephone calls, to threats of suicide, and serious allegations being made against the victim.
It even extended to anyone associated with the woman, including children, family members, their partners, and friends and work colleagues.
In total she received in excess of 4,000 emails, more than 300 phone calls, and hundreds of messages.
Michael Cook, 31, was arrested after repeatedly contacting his former partner over a sustained period of time, and via family and friends.
On Monday, Cook, of Linacre Road, Litherland, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court and was sentenced to 12 weeks' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.
He was also handed a five-year restraining order to prevent any contact with his victim.
In describing the impact of this behaviour, the woman said: "For the past 12 months, I have had to live with stalking and harassment from an ex-partner.
"I have ended the relationship on numerous occasions through varying degrees. Initially, there was constant text messages and telephone calls, when he was blocked there were other avenues explored to contact me.
"I told him I was scared, my children were scared, but nothing helped.
"I had constant threats of suicide, allegations made against me of a serious nature, I was hounded and persecuted at every point, on a daily basis, many times a day.
"Any male account on my social media received a message asking how they knew me. I was constantly added by false accounts and attempts to message me in pretence of being somebody else.
She added: "At one point I even tried the 'I forgive you' as he was constantly asking for forgiveness. This did not stop the contacts, if anything it escalated the contact.
"Although contacts were not of a threatening nature against me or my family, mostly against himself and were always presented in a 'loving manner.'
"Just because the messages were not direct threats or harmful, doesn't mean it cannot have the same emotional impact. I have had to change my whole life to ensure that my children and I were kept safe throughout this.
"I still have to maintain this, and my life will never be the same again. Although there may be a restraining order in place and a suspended sentence, this to me is not a victory."
Speaking after the sentencing of Cook, Detective Chief Inspector Siobhan Gainer from the Protecting Vulnerable People Unit said: "Stalking is a pattern of unwanted, fixated and obsessive behaviour, which is intrusive.
"As the case of Cook so clearly demonstrates, stalking causes alarm and distress to victims and their families and friends.
"We understand that in the current lockdown victims of stalking may feel more vulnerable due to their own movements being restricted and potentially stalking behaviour continuing. We want to reassure them that we will continue to support them during this difficult time."
If you feel you have been a victim of stalking, please contact police on 101 or @MerPolCC. If you are ever in immediate danger always dial 999.
If you do not want to contact the police but do need to seek support from other agencies, contact the National Stalking Helpline, a project run by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, on 0808 802 0300.
