Wigan man found guilty of stalking

Magistrates have found a Wigan man guilty of stalking.

Michael Aspinall, of Norbreck Crescent, Springfield, had denied pestering and haunting a woman to a distressing degree.

But, following a trial at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court, the 32-year-old was convicted of the crime and also threatening to damage a car belonging to Oliver Smith.

The chair of the bench told him: “Your course of conduct amounted to stalking and caused the woman considerable alarm or distress, which had a substantial adverse effect on her usual day-to-day activities when you knew, or ought to have known, that your conduct would cause her distress on each occasion.

“On numerous occasions you have been seen outside the home address of the victim and have been seen in various places where she has been socialising with friends and family and have been seen standing outside her parents’ address, asking her where she is going and watching her drive away.”

The bench adjourned the case until September 10 when a sentencing date will be set.

Until then he has been bailed on condition he does not approach his two victims directly or indirectly and that he stays away from Holme Terrace, Queensway, Healey Street or Langdale Avenue.