Jealous ex-husband posed as fake men on social media to catch estranged wife ‘cheating’ – and tracked her on location app
Paul Blake, 36, contacted former partner Rhian 50 times a day, Cardiff Crown Court heard
A JEALOUS ex-husband posed as fake men on social media in a desperate attempt to catch his estranged wife dating other people.
Paul Blake, 36, contacted his former partner Rhian 50 times a day and used a location app to track her after the breakdown of their marriage.
A court heard Blake set up social media accounts pretending to be other men before contacting Rhian to see if she would respond to the bogus would-be dates.
Bethan Evans, prosecuting, said Blake even set up an Instagram account and posed as her — before trying to get a man to admit he'd had an affair with his wife.
Blake, from Newport, south Wales, became obsessed with his wife's whereabouts and even started tracking her on a location app.
The couple had been together for eight years before their relationship failed, the court heard.
He was unable to cope with the breakdown of this marriage.
Susan Ferrier, defending Paul
The court also heard Mrs Blake decided to go to Bristol "on the spur of the moment" — but was contacted by Blake asking why she was in Bristol and who she was with.
In a statement, Mrs Blake said she "felt like there was no escape".
She said: "He would be so controlling with me – constantly checking on my whereabouts and constantly questioning my every move.
"He would phone me and text me to make me feel guilty for trying to have a life which did not involve him."
Susan Ferrier, defending, said: "He was unable to cope with the breakdown of this marriage. He bitterly regrets it."
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Blake admitted stalking and was sentenced to 26 weeks behind bars, suspended for 18 months, at Cardiff Crown Court.
Judge Eleri Rees, said: "For an intelligent, educated, employed man to behave in this way, it does beggar belief."
Blake was also made subject of a restraining order and must complete the Building Better Relationships programme.
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