Sheffield stalker who hounded ex-partner offered a chance to prove himself by court
and live on Freeview channel 276
Police arrested Elliot Greaves for harassment on January 1, but he ignored court orders not to contact her by sending texts and making calls in January, June, and July, Sheffield Crown Court heard in August.
He sent 97 messages in a 75-minute period, threatened to post explicit photos of her on Facebook even though she hadn't sent him any, and contacted her friends and family to try and get in touch with her after their relationship ended in 2019.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe court heard his victim had to take medication for panic attacks and sleep loss, and had to change her job role to avoid contact with the public.
Some of the offending took place after he appeared at Leeds Crown Court and received a two-year suspended sentence for a violent offence.
Greaves was described by his barrister, Chris Aspinall, as "incredibly immature" and a "Walter Mitty" character, who didn't take the charges seriously until he was incarcerated.
Judge Roger Thomas QC decided to defer sentence until December 3, and released Greaves on condition he lived with his father in Surrey, to get medical assistance.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdOn Thursday, the court heard how Greaves, aged 23, who pleaded guilty to stalking, was planning to return from Guildford to live with his grandparents at their Cross House Road home in Grenoside, Sheffield.
His victim appeared in court to claim she didn’t want anything more to do with him, but “doesn’t mind if he comes to live in Sheffield.”
But after hearing representations from Greaves and his grandmother, Judge Thomas told him: “You have committed serious criminal offences.
"I should actually be thinking about sending you down. I am giving you a chance. I don’t expect you or your grandmother to come here and be chippy.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHe praised Greaves’ victim for being “sensible and decent,” adding: “I am surprised in a sense she is here today, supportive as she is.”
The judge handed him an 18-month community order, with 25 rehabilitation days and a four-week curfew, from 8pm to 6am.
A restraining order, banning him from contacting the woman, was imposed for ten years.