A convicted stalker who repeatedly ignored a court order banning him from contacting his former partner has avoided an immediate prison sentence, despite breaching the order just 18 days after it was imposed.
51-year-old Paul Horton, of Hungerberry Close in Shanklin, was handed an 8-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on 18th September.
The court heard that Horton had been made subject to a 2-year restraining order on 1st May 2026, following a stalking conviction. The order prohibited him from contacting his ex-partner, with whom he had been in a relationship for around 18 months before they separated in December 2025.
However, just 18 days later, Horton breached the order by messaging his ex-partner. Further contact followed on 3rd June, when he used a different telephone number to send messages including “can we talk?” and “I love you so much”.
The woman subsequently blocked his number, but on 11th June, at around 22:15, Horton turned up outside her home, pulling across the driveway.
In a victim impact statement, the woman described how Horton’s behaviour had left her frightened, nervous and constantly on edge. She spoke of waking from nightmares, being afraid to go out in public and worrying that he might be tracking her movements. She had become so fearful that she panicked whenever there was a knock at her door.
Despite previous court proceedings, contact continued. On 31st August, the pair met in the Rylestone Gardens and Big Mead area of Shanklin, where they sat on a bench and talked. Further contact followed, including visits to Horton’s home and time spent together at Wolverton Manor. However, the victim subsequently made clear that she wanted no further contact.
Defending, Oscar Vincent outlined Horton’s health difficulties, explaining that he had Type 1 diabetes, a prosthetic leg and used a wheelchair and crutches. Horton had admitted contact with his ex between 3rd and 15th September during a police interview, although the defence described an encounter while walking a dog on 3rd September as ‘a chance meeting’.
Magistrates said the offending was so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified, citing 4 separate breaches of the restraining order shortly after it was imposed and the domestic context of the offences.
Horton, who had indicated a guilty plea on 25th August, was sentenced to 8 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £187 surcharge
