Man Sentenced to Suspended Prison Term for Harassing Ex-Wife

A man who subjected his former wife to abuse, causing her to live in constant fear, has received a suspended prison sentence. Scott Seldon, 38, inundated the woman with insulting messages and threats, including statements that he would kill her family and burn down her house, Newcastle Crown Court was informed. The woman, who had been in a relationship with Seldon for 18 years, described the experience as “like a living nightmare come real” and expressed genuine fear for her own safety and that of her family. Seldon, residing at Muirfield Drive in Usworth, Washington, pleaded guilty to harassment causing fear of violence. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for 22 months, and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. Prosecutor Neil Pallister stated that the couple began their relationship in 2004, married in 2012, and separated in January 2022 following allegations that Seldon was involved in an affair. The court was informed that the woman reported the relationship had initially been positive but started to deteriorate in 2017 as Seldon grew more controlling, isolating her from her family and closely tracking her activities. Mr Pallister detailed that over a period of four months in 2022, Seldon inundated the woman with text messages, voice notes, and videos containing numerous threats. These threats, as heard by the court, encompassed claims that he would burn down her house, slit her throat, “chop” anyone she was dating, and kill her family. Furthermore, Mr Pallister stated that Seldon instructed her not to report the abuse to the police. Mr Pallister quoted, “Those made her feel terrified and she believed them to be genuine threats.” In a statement presented to the court, the woman recounted that Seldon had caused her and her family to live in fear for years, leading them to install cameras and secure their letter boxes at their residences. She further stated that she relocated to escape him, but he discovered her new address, and the abuse persisted. She expressed fear of being in her own home and reported constant worry and vigilance when outside. The woman reiterated, “It’s like a living nightmare come real,” and added that she “just wanted a normal life” and to not live “constantly in fear and worrying what will come next.” During mitigation, the court was informed that Seldon, employed as a joiner, acknowledged his conduct had been “appalling” and “deeply unpleasant.” Recorder Carolyn Scott characterized the actions as a “campaign of harassment,” stating that Seldon was “absolutely out of order” and “utterly unacceptable.” However, the judge noted that Seldon had been assessed as a “low risk” of reoffending, with a potential for rehabilitation, and that immediate incarceration would result in the loss of his employment. A restraining order was also issued, prohibiting Seldon from contacting his former wife for five years, with a potential prison sentence of up to five years for any breach. Additionally, Seldon was mandated to pay £1,000 in court costs.