Stalked by her own husband

A wife who was stalked by her own husband has spoken of anxiety, depression, self-harming and thoughts of ending her life.

Speaking after her husband was jailed for 3 1/2 years, Amanda Playle described the fear she felt when her husband pretended to be her ex-boyfriend and embarked on a campaign of stalking and coercive and controlling behaviour. Paul Playle would hack into her account and send sinister messages, not just to her, but to her friends and family, leading them to believe that Amanda was having an affair. He would describe what she was wearing and even pick up on a new bag she was carrying. All the time, Paul was acting as the concerned husband and comforting her lovingly as any husband would. Amanda described that time of her life as like “living in a box” and “not being able to get out”.

According to the Office for National Statistics, there has been an alarming rise in recorded stalking offences over the last 3 years, to the point where a new interagency task force has been established in Hampshire to tackle the problem head on.

Carol Robinson is a solicitor in the Family department at Barker Gotelee Solicitors.

 Suffolk Family Solicitors – for more information on our range of legal services, please call the team on 01473 611211 or email [email protected]