Mayor of Whitehaven, Cumbria, Graham Roberts, 72, sent six letters intended for Kate Blacklock, 26, over a period of two-and-a-half weeks last year proclaiming her as his ‘dearest darling’
A creepy mayor has been slapped with a restraining order after stalking a pub worker and sending a woman “fixated” letters.
Mayor of Whitehaven, Cumbria, Graham Roberts sent six disturbing letters intended for Kate Blacklock, 26, over a period of two-and-a-half weeks last year proclaiming her as his ‘dearest darling’ However, the 72-year-old sent the letters to a different woman at the wrong address, which he obtained from the electoral roll as part of his town councillor roll. Prosecutors said the campaign left the 27-year-old woman so paranoid and anxious that she gave up running at night and changed her daily routines.
His intended recipient, Ms Blacklock, said she had known the mayor since she started working at the Sunny Hill Pub in Whitehaven.
At court, Ms Blacklock said she thought of the mayor as a “lonely old man” who was “eccentric but a bit weird” and would ask her out every time he came in to the pub.
At one point, she said, he told another member of staff that she had been horrible to him and he would no longer be making conversation with her – which she believes happens after she brought her boyfriend into the pub. Roberts pleaded guilty to his crimes in April.
Mike Woolaghan, defending, said: “The criminality covers a two-week period. It’s five or six letters. The nature of the behaviour was not threatening or abusive or aggressive. It was very loving.”
He said Roberts was a man of ‘previous impeccable good character’ and a number of character references had been submitted to the court.
Mr Woolaghan added: “This is a gentleman who has devoted his life to public service. He’s been involved in local politics since 2009. We’re dealing with someone who made a very poor judgement.”
On Tuesday, May 6, magistrates slapped Roberts with a year-long restraining order, banning him from contacting Ms Blacklock and from visiting the Sunny Hill Pub.
He was also fined £294 and ordered to pay £85 in costs as well as a £114 victim surcharge.
The disgraced mayor will also need to take part in a year-long community order with 10 rehabilitation days.
Rachel Parker, senior crown prosecutor for CPS North West, said: “Graham Roberts’ actions have caused two women a lot of anxiety and distress.
“After becoming infatuated with a woman, he abused his position as a councillor to access confidential records to try and find her address.
“He displayed obsessive conduct with the woman in his local pub and his behaviour escalated when he began sending love letters to the wrong address.
“The impact of Roberts’ behaviour is clear; both women were uncomfortable and anxious, and one woman was forced to change her daily routines, leaving her paranoid and mistrusting of others in her life.
“The Crown Prosecution Service does not underestimate the serious and lasting impact stalking can have on victims and will not hesitate to prosecute these cases where there is sufficient evidence to do so.”
Roberts stepped back from civic duties in September, ‘due to ‘ill health’ but remains in his position as chairman of Whitehaven Town Council until a new mayor is appointed at the end of this month.
A spokesperson for Cumberland Council said: “The council is aware of the court case relating to Cllr Graham Roberts and is considering what action should be taken.”