David Rowlands jailed 18 months for harassing his ex-wife, defying court orders and causing her significant distress.
A court order told Rowlands to stay away from her and forbade him from any contact. The order forbade him from entering her town or going near her workplace, or any places she was inside. He was not allowed to search for her online.
Prosecutors said he broke the order by sending emails from September 15 to October 17. He sent around five or six emails each day, stating he loved her, and they also contained bad comments about her partner. Some emails also had love poems inside.
Police arrested Rowlands on October 18 and held him for about a week. He contacted her again after release. On October 28, he emailed her once more, writing about always loving her and apologizing for everything he did. He said she was his life’s love and stated he could not feel that way anymore.
That night, Rowlands made public Facebook posts concerning relationships. Police arrested him the same day, sending him back into custody. His ex-wife said the contact affected her deeply and took her to “a very dark place,” believing her family saved her.
Rowlands’ lawyer spoke in his defense, stating cocaine addiction caused his actions and he could not handle the marriage ending. The judge said Rowlands should have acted better.
Judge Lucy Crowther addressed Rowlands directly, saying it was about his feelings, not hers. He broke the order after they arrested him, saying he loved her and apologized, and then implied self-harm. The judge said the ex-wife was worn out and wanted nothing to do with him, which was very clear.
The judge stated he disappointed himself and family, saying his obsession knew no limits, and she wanted nothing to do with him. The judge said Rowlands emotionally abused her and manipulated his partner, adding that he had a good job and family ties, but lost these things to drug use. She hoped jail was a wake-up call.
Judge Crowther sentenced Rowlands to jail. He will serve 18 months for harassment, and the judge issued a new order that will protect her for seven more years.