TikTok stalker jailed for breaching order

A man has been jailed after breaching the terms of his stalking protection order (SPO) by viewing his ex-wife's TikTok videos.

Paul Belton, 47, of Middlesbrough was found guilty earlier this month and sentenced to 32 weeks at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

The court heard he accessed the TikTok page in August 2024 and at the same time transferred small amounts of money into her bank account in a further breach of the SPO.

Belton's ex Amy, whose surname the BBC has agreed not to use, said she hoped the sentence will give him an opportunity to "reflect" on his actions and change his behaviour.

The couple split in 2021 but Belton began stalking and harassing her.

Amy told the BBC in an earlier interview that she obtained a harassment order and non-molestation order before officers at Cleveland Police suggested they obtain an SPO on her behalf in August 2023.

People who have an SPO applied to them can be charged with a criminal offence if they breach its terms.

Assistant Chief Constable Richard Baker told the BBC stalking ruins the day to day lives of victims.

Speaking directly to stalkers, he said: "Do not think this is a low level way of traumatising or tormenting an ex partner.

"It causes significant mental and physical trauma to victims - we will look at every way we can to charge you and put you before the courts."

Sentencing Belton, District Judge Marie Mallon said it was not the way he had contacted his ex-wife that was important, it was the fact that he had done so at all and the psychological impact it had on her.

She reminded Belton he needed to "cease all contact" and that he was subject to the terms of the SPO for a "long time" and failure to comply would result in a longer sentence.

His solicitor Tokeer Amin told the court Belton "accepts the findings".