A MAN who subjected a housing worker to a campaign of abuse and harassment has been given a 24 week suspended prison sentence.

Somerset Magistrates were told that Nicki Maynard-Hughes had made repeated threats to the victim that he was going to make contact with her family members.

He also said that he knew everything about her, knew where she lived and threatened to make things “personal”.

His months of targeted abuse over a housing issue left the victim so fearful that the council installed a private CCTV system at her home as she was afraid of going out at night.

The 32-year-old defendant, formerly of Dwelly Close, Chard, but currently living in Monmouth Street, Bridgwater, pleaded not guilty that between May 1 and November 23, 2018 at Yeovil he pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the harassment of the Barbie Markey, in that he made various calls and messages of an offensive nature.

He also admitted offences of being in breach of a conditional discharge and failing to surrender to bail.

However he failed to turn up for a scheduled trial hearing at Yeovil and was convicted of the offence in his absence.

The court was told that Nicki Lee Maynard-Hughes bombarded Ms Markey with around 100 “vicious” phone calls and messages over a housing issue leaving her emotionally distressed and forced to install CCTV at her home.

He accused her of breaching data protection regulations and gross negligence and said he had contacted Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh in London about the situation.

He also claimed The Guardian newspaper was interested in his case and would be publishing a story about her.

Recordings of the messages were played to the court where the defendant made direct threats towards the victim.

One said: “You have made it personal by contacting my family members. I am going to make contact with your family members and make this personal. Do you understand me now?”

In other voicemail messages he said: “I know your ****ing personal life. I know where you live. Everything”.

He also said: “I’m going to stick my nose into your life and ruin you and your colleagues. It’s not a threat, it’s a ****ing promise”.

Prosecutor Emma Lenanton said that a victim impact statement made by Ms Markey described that as a result of the defendant saying he knew where she lived her employer installed a private CCTV system at her address.

The victim said the messages were really nasty and threatening especially when Maynard-Hughes became very personal and angry towards her.

“He said he knew all about me and where I lived and my home no longer felt like a safe haven,” she said.

“I was extremely jumpy and anxious and had blinds fitted at the windows and I never go out alone in the evening now.

“I would come to work feeling apprehensive and he became more and more aggressive towards me.”

Maynard-Hughes was brought before the court in custody after being arrested on a warrant issued at the trial hearing.

He said that the offences occurred a long time ago and he did not think it was as many phone calls as the prosecution had outlined.

“I was in a bad place and only wanted my property back and I also have mental health issues and I am trying to live with them,” he said.

“Sending me back to prison will only cause me to lose my job and my family.”

Chair of the magistrates susan Hanson told Maynard-Hughes that the offence of harassment was so serious that they were imposing a custodial sentence of 24 weeks but said they were prepared to suspend it for two years.

“This was a personal action over a prolonged period of time and there was serious distress caused to the victim,” she said.

“However, because you have said you now have a permanent job and a flat and have referred yourself to the mental health team through your GP, we have taken the decision to suspend it.”

They also made a five year restraining order during which time the defendant must not contact Ms Markey directly or indirectly. He was also ordered to pay £300 towards costs and a £115 victim surcharge.