A man “fell in love” with a co-worker and bombarded her with messages during a nine-month harassment campaign.
Raed Khirfan believed he was forming a relationship with the woman after befriending her while working at a Ferryhill pizzeria. Then the 38-year-old man started bombarding her with messages, even though he had children and had a stable relationship.
Despite talking to the police, Khirfan resumed sending her messages, some of which referred to the marriage, and even went to her GP. Durham Crown Court learned that her behavior had a significant impact on the woman, who became very distressed. On Friday, Khirfan, of Cheapside, Spennymoor, appeared in court, via a link from HMP Durham, to be convicted of harassment. It required an interpreter throughout the process.
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Prosecutor Jonathan Walker said Khirfan fell “in love” with the woman between August and December last year. He then started sending her numerous messages and even said they should get married. The woman soon became concerned and contacted police in April this year, complaining that Khirfan was harassing her. He was then referred to a program to address his behavior.
Mr Walker said the message stopped then, but resumed a couple of weeks later, with Khirfan sending him photos of a wedding dress, love hearts and telling him he loved her. The woman also believed that she was watching him when she was with her children and in her garden. He even went to one of his GP appointments, he told the court.
Walker said: “In May, a friend of the complainant urged the defendant to desist from approaching her on the street and there was some confrontation. The defendant acted slightly aggressively. “. After the confrontation, Khirfan was again reported to the police and arrested.
In an impact statement from the victim, the woman said she was already having problems with her mental health, but Khirfan’s behavior exasperated her and her medication for anxiety had to be increased. She added that she no longer feels safe at home and feels “uncomfortable and physically ill.”
Emma Williams, a defense attorney, said: “The defendant and the complainant worked together and started a friendship. “Then he received information from a third party. The complainant was upset by the break-up of this friendship, a relationship in his mind.
She added: “Now she accepts that she did not want this contact and says that she knows this very well and wants to apologize. She is ashamed of her actions. Her whole family lives in Jordan and has a young son. Her family does not. He is aware that he is currently under arrest “.
Condemning Khirfan, Judge Ray Singh said that “for no apparent reason you fell in love with the complainant” and bombarded her with messages. He imprisoned Khirfan for 10 months and imposed a 10-year restraining order, banning contact with the woman.
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