A MARRIED company director stuck his head through his ex-lover’s cat flap in a terrifying stalking campaign after she ended their fling.
Jonathan Christmas, 35, had a five-month affair with colleague Charlotte Crute after they met at a summer party.
Charlotte Crute was subjected to a stalking campaign by her ex-lover
Jonathan Christmas has now been slapped with a restraining order
But the relationship ended when Christmas’ wife found out, with Charlotte later blocking the dad-of-two on social media.
Christmas launched a four-month campaign against his ex – visiting Charlotte at her workplace and sending flowers and cards.
The stalker also told her “I still love you” in messages and even told her boss about the affair and urged him to sack her.
On one occasion, Christmas showed up at Charlotte’s home in Dorset and poked his head through the cat flap.
He then banged on the door for 30 minutes – leaving Charlotte fearing for her life.
Christmas has now been slapped with an 18-month restraining order after he admitted stalking.
Poole Magistrates’ Court was told Charlotte and Christmas both met while working for a technology company in 2023.
They split up in December that year when Christmas’ wife discovered the relationship.
Prosecutor Jason Spelman said: “There was then some sort of stand off. There was a suggestion he had to make a choice between the victim and his wife.
“The victim decided she was not interested and sent a message on December 18 to break off the relationship.”
Christmas was made redundant from the company in January 2024 but continued to send Charlotte birthday cards.
She then decided she “had enough” and sent her ex an email in February saying she wanted nothing more to do with him.
But spurned Christmas turned up at her office unannounced on March 7 claiming he was returning some work property.
Christmas claimed seeing Charlotte “reignited feelings” and he emailed her asking when she would be home so they could talk.
She was forced to stay late at the gym to avoid seeing Christmas but her absence did not deter the stalker and he just ramped up his campaign.
On April 12, Christmas showed up at her home and banged on the door for 30 minutes, stuck his head through the cat flap then “loitered around the property trying to disguise his identity”.
She text him, warning him she would call the police then found a bunch of flowers and a note saying “I still love you”.
In a victim statement, Charlotte said: “I was completely terrified, I was on the phone to my sister and worried he could get in if he found the spare key.
“I genuinely feared for my life. The impact was massive, I didn’t feel safe at home or work. I regret everything I did with him.”
Selina Goddard, defending, said Christmas made a “silly mistake” but has moved on and wishes Charlotte the best.
As well as the restraining order, Christmas was handed an 18-month community order with 30 rehabilitation days and 100 hours of unpaid work.
He was also ordered to pay £620 prosecution costs and £114 victim surcharge.
Charlotte was left terrified by Christmas’ crusade
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