Last updated 10:19, Tuesday, 23 September 2008

BEHIND BARS: Stephen Karl Morris

A CAREER criminal who attacked his girlfriend with a crossbow and threatened to stab her has been jailed for two years.
Stephen Karl Morris, who has 25 convictions for 70 previous offences, began a relationship with Paula Stewart, of Barrow, in October 2007. Miss Stewart described the relationship as “physically and mentally controlling” and told police he repeatedly damaged her mobile phone to stop her from contacting friends and family.
Less than a month after the couple met, on November 1,
an argument developed and
47-year-old Morris entered the bedroom waving a crossbow measuring 15 inches at Miss Stewart.
Ms Claire Thomas, prosecuting, told Barrow Crown Court yesterday that Morris had previously been given prisonsentences for offences of affray and possessing an offensive weapon.Ms Thomas added: “After he entered the bedroom waving the crossbow, Miss Stewart became aware of a pain to her forehead, resulting in a two-inch cut.”The relationship then ended and Morris was remanded in custody for other offences. But following his release in March, he began a terrifying campaign of harassment against Miss Stewart. Ms Thomas said: “She received hundreds of phone calls and about 20 text messages, one of which threatened that she would be stabbed to death.”Defending Liverpool-born Morris, Mr Richard Bennett explained his client was “rather a sad figure” with a “formidable, unenviable criminal record”.Mr Bennett said: “For decades he has relied on cannabis and amphetamines, he lives on his own and has a personality disorder.“No doubt these messages were extremely disturbing and frightening - he is prone to making matters worse for himself by stopping taking his medication. He has been arrested many times for shouting and threatening on the streets of Ulverston.”Morris, of Leather Lane, Ulverston, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and harassment. He was sentenced to two years in prison by His Honour Judge Batty. Judge Batty said: “Your conduct was violent and terrifying, you sent terrifying messages to her including threats to kill her.”Morris was also given an indefinite restraining order, prohibiting him from contacting Miss Stewart or her family. A CAREER criminal who attacked his girlfriend with a crossbow and threatened to stab her has been jailed for two years.

Stephen Karl Morris, who has 25 convictions for 70 previous offences, began a relationship with Paula Stewart, of Barrow, in October 2007. Miss Stewart described the relationship as “physically and mentally controlling” and told police he repeatedly damaged her mobile phone to stop her from contacting friends and family.

Less than a month after the couple met, on November 1, an argument developed and 47-year-old Morris entered the bedroom waving a crossbow measuring 15 inches at Miss Stewart. Ms Claire Thomas, prosecuting, told Barrow Crown Court yesterday that Morris had previously been given prison