A WOMAN said she no longer visits Askam and Barrow after she was the victim of a campaign of harassment by the ex-wife of her new boyfriend.

Elaine Harris said she was terrified for her family members and has installed CCTV at her home following abuse she received from Dawn Knowles.

Knowles, of Turnstone Crescent, Askam, sent an excessive number of abusive and unwanted text messages to Ms Harris and David Sharpe, who she was going through a divorce with.

The 53-year-old admitted two counts of harassment when she appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates Court.

Prosecution solicitor Diane Jackson said: “Mr Sharpe was in a relationship with Mrs Knowles and they have been going through a divorce.

“The defendant sent messages with pictures of her skin being flared up which was blamed on Mr Sharpe.

“She also sent messages saying ‘you won, you destroyed me’ and ‘do you think it is acceptable to leave me for another woman’.

“Mr Sharpe has not replied to any of these messages.

“The couple said that the messages are unwanted and have given them a great deal of stress.

“According to a statement from Elaine, Mrs Knowles and Mr Sharpe began to grow apart and she believes that they had an affair.

“On August 20, 2019, she received a message from the defendant out of the blue saying that she hates her for what she has done.

“Elaine has had to install CCTV at her home and she no longer goes into Askam or Barrow at all costs and is terrified for her family members.”

Defence solicitor Karen Templeton said: “She is in her mid fifties and has had no previous offences.

“Pure frustration and stress about what has been going on are the cause of this.

“She and him were also business partners together and he forced her out of the business. So she has lost a job as well as a relationship.

“He has started a new relationship with a former friend of hers. This is not a defence but you can understand the distress that this would cause.

“She has not been in contact with either Elaine Harris or David Sharpe for several months. I would ask the court to deal with this by financial penalty or unpaid work.”

Mrs Knowles explored her circumstances with the probation officer.

The probation officer said: “She takes full responsibility for her behaviour. She felt lonely, hurt, and betrayed, and she was angry as a result which is why she sent these texts.

“The texts were also sent under the influence of alcohol. She says that she is extremely sorry for her actions and does not wish them any harm.

“Upon assessment she is a low risk of harm to all groups involved.

“A custodial sentence would mean loss of employment and lack of support for her father whom she acts as a carer for.”

She was given a four week curfew where she must be at her address from 7pm until 7am.

There was no restraining order given.

Knowles also has to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £90 victim surcharge totalling £175.