My lockdown romance ended in disaster despite courts ordering my abusive ex to stay away

A MUM has told how a lockdown romance ended in disaster as she bravely speaks out about the campaign of abuse she suffered at the hands of her bully ex.

Staci Paterson, 31, was left traumatised when Stuart Taylor barged his way into her flat in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, around midnight last December, threatening to kill himself because he couldn’t accept the relationship was over.

Staci and Stuart in happier times at the start of their relationship

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Staci and Stuart in happier times at the start of their relationship
Staci is so glad to be rid of the brute and is determined to go back to college

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Staci is so glad to be rid of the brute and is determined to go back to college

This was despite the brute, of Glasgow, being under strict court orders- a non-harassment order and bail conditions – meant to keep him away from her.

Staci broke down as she lifted the lid on the toxic romance which started in March 2020, recalling how he suddenly changed from Mr Nice to a monster who belittled her, called her names, controlled her finances and stopped her from seeing pals.

She told how the yob even quit his factory job to stay at home so he could watch her every move, accused her of sleeping around when she took too long on the school run and even forced her to drop out of her college course.

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She said: “We met just as lockdown came into force and it was a case of him staying at mine and not leaving.

“He was the nicest guy you’d ever meet for the first six months, but slowly but surely my life turned into a living hell.

“He became really nasty and abusive. He whittled me down to nothing – I even started to hate myself. He’d call me ‘a fat cow’ daily and said I should feel privileged to be with him.

“I was studying to be a school support assistant for pupils with additional needs, but he used every excuse to ruin it for me – constantly calling me to start fights and interrupting my lessons.

“It got to the point when I had to give up because there was no point.

“I was relieved when the court orders were in place but he still managed to contact me.

“I’m now on daily medication as a result of anxiety and depression. I suffer PTSD, and I sometimes think I can hear him banging against the door, which is very triggering.

“I just want to warn others to stay away from him.”

Taylor, 23, admitted threatening or abusive behavior and breaching court orders at Hamilton Sheriff Court, but allegations that he produced a machete, locked the door and refused to let Staci leave her flat were dropped by prosecutors.

Sheriff John Speir heard Taylor had been held at HMP Addiewell since the incident and had served the equivalent of a two year sentence.

He ordered him to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and placed him under supervision for two years.

Taylor will have to tell social workers of any new relationships and keep away from Paterson for seven years.

Sheriff Speir said: “This is a matter which would ordinarily carry a sentence of imprisonment but you have now been in custody for quite some time.

“But in the interests of rehabilitation and the interests of the public at large and you as an individual, I’m prepared to make a community payback order.

“If you fail to comply you will be brought back and the option of custody will again be before the court.”

Staci added: “I’m disappointed that he won’t be remaining behind bars. He managed to harass me from jail through phone calls – I just don’t feel safe.

“I’ve had move away but I’ll constantly be looking over my shoulder and terrified that he’ll manage to track me down.

“I’m slowly but surely getting my life back together and I’m waiting for counselling from Women’s Aid, then I’m determined to be strong enough to get back on to my college course.”

Read more on the Scottish Sun

Taylor is due back in court for a review hearing in March.

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