Stalker banned from Trafford Centre for stalking ex

A stalker has been banned from the Trafford Centre where his ex-wife works after he subjected her to a six-month campaign of harassment.

Kevin Gallagher, 39, was spared jail by Manchester magistrates, who sentenced him to 20 weeks in prison suspended for two years after he pleaded guilty to stalking.

They also imposed a restraining order, which means he cannot contact his former spouse or enter the Trafford Centre where she works.

The court heard that the couple, who share a young son, had married in 2010 but divorced in June 2016 after their relationship became ‘poor’ amid incidents of violence.

From July last year until January this year, Gallagher inundated his victim with calls and messages. He would send about 30 texts and make about 15 calls a day, it was said. He also sent explicit images of himself.

Prosecuting, Nicola Yeadon said:

Gallagher hid an iPhone under his ex-wife’s car to track her every move.

He was only found out when the phone started ringing in the car.

She searched the vehicle and after not being able to locate it, took it to a garage to investigate the noise.

In another incident, she drove away from the Trafford Centre crying after Gallagher found her.

Ms Yeadon said the victim, who has three children from a previous relationship, was left wondering ‘how he found my car amongst 11,000 others in the Trafford Centre’.

In a victim impact statement, she said Gallagher’s behaviour has left her feeling empty inside, and that it has also affected her children.

She said:

Defending, Jeremy Spencer said Gallagher, who runs Universal Builders (North West) Ltd with his family, now shows ‘contrition’.

Gallagher appeared in court via video link from prison, after being held when he fled as he was due to be sentenced at a previous hearing. He was arrested earlier this month after being found in a car close to his former wife’s home.

Gallagher, of St Clement’s Fold, Urmston, sobbed as the facts of the case were read out.