A former British Airways logistics operator stalked his female neighbour for 18 months for interfering in his relationship with his on-off girlfriend, a court has heard.
Leslie Jones, 65, was handed a two-year restraining order after displaying ‘concerning behaviour’ towards Fiona Hooper and her 18-year-old daughter Lily in St Ives, Dorset.
Magistrates heard how he watched her home in the village near Bournemouth and reportedly jumped out from a bush in front of her while she was walking down the road.
A frightened Lily decided to move out of the property after Jones was caught on camera shouting obscenities and making rude hand gestures towards her and her mother.
His behaviour left the pair so scared that Lily took to texting her mother the words ‘Les Alert. Les is near’ with police siren emojis when he was seen outside.
The court also heard that Jones shone a torch in Mrs Hooper’s car while she was inside it and sat in his parked vehicle in front of her £750,000 house for long periods.
Jones and Mrs Hooper both lived on the affluent street for 20 years without a problem until February 2022 when widow Jaine Bowell moved into the house next door to Mrs Hooper.
As well as becoming friends with Mrs Hooper, Ms Bowell also struck up a relationship with Jones who lived at the other end of the street.
But it was an ‘on-off’ relationship and Jones became infuriated when he thought Ms Bowell was confiding in Mrs Hooper, 60.
Charles Nightigale, prosecuting, told Poole Magistrates’ Court: ‘The complainant lives in the same road but out of sight of the defendant’s property.
‘They have both been residents for a number of years and didn’t really know each other at all prior to this.
‘The property next to (Mrs Hooper’s) came up for sale in 2021 and was bought by a lady who was subsequently widowed then befriended by the defendant.
‘That’s how the initial animosity appears to have arisen.’
Mr Nightingale said the relationship was ‘inconsistent’ and Jones did not like Mrs Hooper befriending his partner.
He began displaying ‘concerning’ behaviour – driving past her house a lot, parking up and watching her property as well as hiding in bushes near her house.
Jones swore at her and made rude gestures and the harassment frightened her teenage daughter Lily so much she no longer lives there.
Mr Nightingale said: ‘(Mrs Hooper) became aware of the defendant driving around this road, parking and just sitting, watching.
‘There were times when she would sit in her car to use her phone as she has poor mobile signal in her home and she became aware on a number of occasions of the defendant emerging from having been hidden in a bush.
‘He would make V-signs and w****r gestures at her, shout at her, shine a torch in the car.
‘It has gone on for a number of months and has had a significant effect on Miss Hooper and her family.’
The alarming behaviour lasted until he was arrested in August 2023.
Mr Nightingale read out a statement from Lily Hooper.
It said: ‘I used to make either my mum or brother come get me out of the car at night, due to fear he was waiting in the bushes. And after all the things Jane used to say about how he treated her only made me wonder what he would do to either me or my mum.’
The court heard Jones had taken medical retirement from his logistics job with BA at Heathrow following an accident that damaged his spine, but did some work as a window cleaner.
He denied a charge of harassment and claimed he was driving round the road to visit window cleaning clients.
David Hurley, defending, said Jones did not accept any of the allegations and claimed Miss Hooper ‘became obsessed’ with his girlfriend Jane.
He said: ‘Issues arose because of the proximity of the complainant and his partner, who sits at the back of court. It is a solid relationship despite what the complainant may say.
‘The complainant became obsessed with his lady friend Jane when he came along, that’s when the trouble started.
‘He maintains he’s not guilty as he drove by for legitimate reasons. He now drives the other way so that he can see Jane without going past her house, he’s doing his best to stay away from her but there are ongoing tensions.’
The court heard Jones and Ms Bowell were now engaged and plan to move away from the Poole area.
Magistrates handed Jones a 12-month community order with a requirement to complete 15 rehabilitation activity days.
They also ordered him to pay a £300 fine, £500 compensation each to Miss Hooper and her daughter, a victim surcharge and £361 towards prosecution costs, totalling £1,775.
Jones has also been give a two-year restraining order to protect Miss Hooper and her family.