Calls to restaurateur were harassment, court hears

Theresa Marion Feathers, 52, currently living in a caravan at Normandy Park, Harley Shute Road, St Leonards, but who had previously given addresses in Bexhill, defended herself at the hearing at Hastings Law Courts.

She pleaded guilty to harassment without violence, though claimed mitigating circumstances. She was fined £250 with £50 costs and a £15 victim surcharge, and was placed under a two-year restraining order.

Under its terms she must not contact - directly or indirectly - Robert Donachie, nor enter his Soupcon restaurant in High Street, Old Town, Hastings.

Deputy District Judge Humfrey Malins warned her that the consequences of doing so would be a custodial sentence. He made a collection order to ensure payment of the financial penalties imposed.

When first asked to plead, Feathers was reluctant to do so, but was reminded that the case had been adjourned on three previous occasions. She had failed to secure legal aid.

Judge Malins said he would not waste more time and would enter a not guilty plea on her behalf, so that the matter went to trial.

But Feathers then said she was guilty, with diminished responsibility. When Judge Malins refused to accept such a plea, she admitted the offence, though claimed mitigating circumstances.

Andrew Hold, prosecuting, said that the case arose from a meeting between Mrs Feathers and Mr Donachie in which she told him she was interested in buying his restaurant from him.

Mr Hold said: “Mr Donachie took this as a genuine prospect and they exchanged details. But on August 7 the defendant went into his premises and caused a scene, throwing herself at the complainant and exposing herself.”

The court heard that next day Feathers had delivered a card apologising for her behaviour and had also sent Mr Donachie a message to the same effect.

But she then began making calls and sending messages alleging that there was intimacy between them and that he was being cold to her, prompting Mr Donachie to contact police, who issued a notice for Feathers to stop.

She ignored this and was subsequently charged with harassment. When interviewed by police Feathers, of previous good character, claimed she had been mentally ill at the time.

She told Judge Malins: “In my view there were no grounds or evidence for an harassment order in the first place. Before that I hadn’t harassed him. In my view, that makes it null and void.”

Feathers added: “It is totally untrue that I threw myself at Mr Donachie.”

She said that the 24 calls alluded to had been made not over several days but on a single night, “until his message box was full.” She had then telephoned police herself and invited them to arrest her.

Feathers said she had no job and was “living on fresh air”, but she then said she was receiving more than £1,000 a month in rental payments for properties she owned.

She added: “I had a shop, but when this case was reported in the Bexhill Observer it made me sound totally guilty and I was thrown out.”

After being sentenced, Feathers said she wanted to appeal and Judge Malins told her she could appeal to the Crown Court.

On being handed a document by the court usher, Feathers tore it up and threw the pieces of paper in the air.

She left the courtroom but shortly afterwards returned and told Judge Malins: “This court is an absolute disgrace. I am going to take this to my MP.”