Kendal man harassed his ex-for six days after end of 18-year marriage

Kendal Man Harassed Ex-Wife With Dozens of Calls a Day, Court Told
A Kendal woman was subjected to persistent harassment from her former partner, who struggled to accept the end of their long marriage, a court has heard.
Michael Leavy, 40, was married to the woman for 18 years before the relationship ended in March. But over a six-day period, he repeatedly contacted her, at times calling her dozens of times a day.
During one incident, as the woman phoned police for help, Leavy grabbed her mobile phone and threw it into a toilet.
Leavy, of Nobles Place, Kendal, appeared at Carlisle Crown Court where he admitted harassment. The court was told he has 53 previous offences on his record, accumulated over 25 years, including violence, public disorder, and a previous harassment conviction from 2013.
Gerard Rogerson, defending, said it was accepted that the marriage had now “finally run its course.” He told the court that Leavy’s behaviour was triggered by alcohol misuse, particularly during emotional crises, though he argued that Leavy “generally speaking, doesn’t have an alcohol problem.”
The barrister said Leavy tended to binge drink when under stress and noted that he was arrested upon returning from a foreign holiday at Manchester Airport. He added that Leavy remains a devoted father to his son.
Recorder Julian Shaw sentenced Leavy to a two-year community order, which includes 120 days of tagged alcohol abstinence and five rehabilitation activity days. A three-year restraining order was also imposed, banning him from contacting his ex-wife in any way.