Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
25
Nov 2024
Harrogate man, 80, sentenced for harassment
A man was sentenced at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday (November 22) for harrassment.
Charles Page, of Lime Street in Harrogate, pleaded guilty to one count of harassment without violence on September 26. He intitially pleaded not guilty but changed his plea at trial.
Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court the named victim – a man in his 30s – was the grandson of a woman Page had befriended.
She said the grandmother, who has Alzheimer’s, had known the 80-year-old for just four weeks before the victim made a statement to the police.
The court heard the man started receiving “threatening” messages from Page. Page told the victim he wanted to “keep him out of jail” and that he was "breaking his grandmother's heart".
Ms Ibbotson also told the court Page "caused a commotion" outside the grandmother's house after the victim said he would report Page to the police.
The victim, who has power of attorney over his grandmother’s finances and healthcare, felt Page was “messing with her health and care”.
Ms Ibbotson said:
The victim said Page was expressing interest in his grandmother’s will in one message. The defendant also asked [victim] to send him a copy of his grandmother’s will.
[Victim] says Page’s fixation was strange and alarming.
Page sent the victim a total of 63 messages between May and August of this year, five of which were sent after he had been charged for the offence.
Ms Ibbotson told the court the harassment had a “big impact” on the victim emotionally and physically, and added to the strain already caused by caring for his grandmother.
Click here to gift someone a Stray Ferret subscription today.
‘Not motivated by financial gain’
Brian Nuttney, defending, told the court Page was sorry for the upset he caused.
The court heard he knew the grandmother and her late husband years prior and met up with the elderly woman after her husband died.
Mr Nuttney added:
He felt they clicked in a platonic way. In April 2024, [grandmother] said she was concerned about power of attorney and her will, and whether her son was being left out of things.
Mr Page ran into a long-running family matter, and he did not know that. He says the contact was to get to the bottom of things for [grandmother’s] sake. Mr Page says he was just trying to do the right thing.
Mr Nuttney said Page accepted he went about the situation the wrong way and he regrets how he acted.
The court heard Page was “not motivated by financial gain”. He owns his house out-right and is financially comfortable, the court also heard.
Mr Nuttney told the court Page’s attachment to the grandmother “clouded his judgement”, adding:
He is remorseful and Mr Page now knows what he thought was true is not.
He is of previous good character but he loses that good name today.
The magistrates handed Page a 12-month community order, during which he must complete five rehabilitation activity days.
He must pay a total of £667 to the courts, which comprises a £153 fine, a £114 surcharge and £400 in prosecution costs.
A one-year restraining order was imposed on Page. He was ordered not to contact the victim and his grandmother.
0