A MAN left his childhood love 'psychologically disturbed' after stalking her to find out why she filed to divorce him.

Stephen Barker, 65, of the Lancers in Sutton Mandeville, had known his wife Julia since their school days in 1973 during which they formed a short romantic relationship.

The pair went their separate ways, having children of their own, before reforming their relationship in 2007 and moving into Mrs Barker's home in Guildford together in 2018.

Charles Nightingale, prosecuting, told Salisbury Magistrates Court (September 14) how problems arose from Barker's alcohol consumption that could be "significant" and worsened when he felt anxious.

In October 2022 they took a break from the relationship to "have some space" and Barker moved out of the family home in Uplands Road.

Alphie Doran, defending, said things "came to a head" in November when Mrs Barker told her husband she was sending the divorce papers which came as a shock.

Following this, Barker entered the house without his wife's knowledge or permission and sent her messages about letters he had opened from Barclay's bank.

The locks were changed but Barker continued to stalk his wife.

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The court heard how he would comment on Mrs Barker's movements and how he followed his wife into a pub and made comments about the clothes she was wearing, saying he still found her attractive.

On January 4, Barker arrived at his wife's house visibly drunk and hunted for a spare key to get inside.

At 5.30am he returned and Mrs Barker watched him from inside using an electronic doorbell before calling the police who arrested the defendant shortly afterwards.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Julia Barker said: "I was extremely jittery for the next few weeks. The whole incident has been psychologically disturbing.

"When he is really drunk he makes me feel on edge because I don’t know what he is going to do."

Alphie Doran, defending, said: “[Mr Barker] apologises unreservedly for his actions towards his wife. There is genuine, significant, sustained remorse.

"He was shocked and saddened that his actions have had this impact on someone he has known since 1973. This is someone he deeply cares for and that he believed was his soulmate forever."

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Mr Doran said his client felt as if his wife had "suddenly whipped the carpet from under his feet" when she filed the divorce and it left his life "in turmoil". He added: "It's that 'why?'. Why now? Why is this happening? He just wanted answers."

The court heard how Barker had avoided contact with his wife for eight months and was no longer consuming alcohol.

Presiding Justice Timothy Foster said: "Clearly your actions caused considerable distress but it is to your credit you understand that. Altogether we are not going to send you to prison today."

Magistrates sentenced Barker to a 12-month community order including 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and ordered him to pay £649.

A two-year restraining order not to contact Julia Barker or go to Uplands Road or Box Road development in Guilford was also imposed.