A man was “whistled” by a co-worker and bombarded her with messages during a nine-month harassment campaign.
Raed Khirfan believed that a relationship was established with the woman after he befriended her while working at the Ferryhill pizzeria. Then the 38-year-old man began bombarding her with messages – despite the fact that she has children and has a stable relationship.
Although she was interviewed by police, Hirfan resumed sending messages – some of them about marriage – and even turned to her doctor. Crown Durham’s court heard that his behavior had a significant impact on the woman, who remained seriously concerned. On Friday, Hirfan of Chipside, Spenimur, appeared in court via HMP Durham to be convicted of persecution. He needed an interpreter throughout the production.
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Prosecutor Jonathan Walker said Kirfan “took over” the woman between August and December last year. Then he started sending her numerous messages and even said that they should get married. The woman soon became worried and contacted police in April this year, complaining that Hirfan was harassing her. He was then recommended a program to deal with his behavior.
Mr Walker said the messages then stopped, but resumed a few weeks later, with Kirfan sending her photos of a wedding dress, love hearts and telling her he loved her. The woman also believed that he was watching her when she was with her children and in her garden. He even appeared at one of her meetings with the GP, the court said.
Mr Walker said: “In May a friend of the complainant urged the defendant not to approach her on the street and a sort of confrontation ensued. The defendant acted in a slightly aggressive manner. After the collision, Hirfan was again reported to the police and arrested.
In a statement on the victim’s impact, the woman said she was already struggling with her mental health, but Hirfan’s behavior angered him and her anxiety medication needed to be increased. She added that she no longer felt safe in her own home and felt “uncomfortable and physically ill”.
Emma Williams, defending herself, said: “The defendant and the applicant worked together and became friends, he believed that a bond was being established between them. That stopped when he was arrested in April and initially cut off contact. He then received information from a third party that the applicant was upset by the break-up of that friendship – a connection in his mind. He foolishly believed this third party and decided to contact it. “
She added: “Now he accepts that she did not want this contact and says he is very sorry and wants to apologize. He is ashamed of his actions. His whole family lives in Jordan and he has a small child. His family does not know he is currently in custody. “
Condemning Hirfan, Judge Ray Singh said that for “no apparent reason you were enchanted by the applicant” and flooded her with messages. He left Hirfan in prison for 10 months and imposed a 10-year restraining order banning her from contact with the woman.
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