Farmer stalked uni crush on WhatsApp for five years as she begged pals for help
A woman has described a five-year ordeal where a boy she had met at college sent her unwanted messages for years until she was forced to have a friend “on stand-by” in case he came round.
Isaac Aidley, 27 who hails from a strict Baptist family developed a crush on Isabella Knowles during their time as students at an agricultural college. But years after graduating Miss Knowles was still receiving WhatsApp messages from him saying “I love you always” and “I’ll see you soon.”
Despite her making clear that she had a boyfriend and was not interested, Isaac’s obsession with Miss Knowles developed over the years to the point where she asked a male friend to be on standby to protect her when her partner was away, a court heard.
Miss Knowles who lives in a village near Nantwich, Cheshire initially ignored the messages but alerted police when he kept promising he would "see her soon".
Miss Knowles, who works as a Farm Business Consultant, explained in a statement how Aidley had been part of a "great group of friends" when they were studying at Reaseheath college together.
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Aidley was “timid” when she met him at the school, she said and he came from a very religious family where the sons did not go out very much and did not have girlfriends until they were older.
Isaac Aidley who hails from a strict baptist family refused to stop senting the messages when asked by Miss Knowles (Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)"I would have classed him as a real gentleman," she said. "Throughout the whole time in university I had been in a relationship with someone else. I had never been in a relationship with Isaac and he was fully aware of my circumstances.
"I never gave Isaac the impression that there would be any more between us other than a friendship at most. When we left university we did not see each other much."
Initially Aidley would send her occasional texts and sometimes pictures of puppies or piglets from the farm, Miss Knowles said. He also sometimes depicted what a good wife she would be, which she thought was odd but believed was innocent.
But after four or five years the messages started to become more frequent, she said, going from one per month to five or six per month, with some phone calls and videos. "I never answered the phone calls," she said, "I explained that I was still in a relationship with my partner Olly."
Miss Knowlwes (pictured) now works as a farm business consultant (Reaseheath College/ Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)Miss Knowles said that she sought medical help for depression and said Aidley's harassment had been a significant factor. "It had a large part to play in my low moods and stress," she said, "It was putting a strain on my relationship. It was a source of multiple arguments between my partner and I. He thought I should block him.
"I am friends with the same group of friends and did not want to make the situation awkward. After many months of feeling harassed I began swearing in the texts and telling him I did not want him to contact me.
"He did not seem to care for my stress or anxiety issues or read the messages I was sending. He proceeded to tell me he was going to see me soon. That scared me so much. That was the time I phoned the police to report him."
Miss Knowles said she lives in fear of seeing Aidley around the village where she lives and added: "My partner was away for a weekend, so I asked my friend to be on standby in case Isaac came down to try and enter the house to hang around. He knows where I live. I am terrified of him coming to my address.
"My friend Jack gladly obliged. He knows the stress it has caused me. To this day I have remained worried about the future and having to see Isaac. I am very worried about him doing this to somebody else.
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"It took me five years to work out that this was not right. A younger girl may not realise at all. Every time I think about it I feel anxious and worried. I still feel that he won't care and won't own his actions."
At Chester magistrates court, Aidley, 27, a specialist cheese maker whose family have been farming at Alpraham near Nantwich since 1938 admitted stalking involving serious alarm or distress and was made subject of a restraining order banning him from contacting Miss Knowles for ten years.
He was also sentenced to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months and was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation days with the probation service. His is now in a relationship with another woman.
Miss Lisa McGuire, prosecuting, said: "There has been significant psychological harm and stress caused to the victim. She has been caused to make lifestyle changes to avoid contact with the defendant. She requested a friend to come and stay when her partner was away." She added: "There has been a persistent action by the defendant over a prolonged period."
Aidley had no previous convictions. Defence solicitor Catherine Higham said: "The offence arises from him not knowing where the boundaries were, or respecting the boundaries that were put in place by the complainant. He understands what has happened and understands the effects on the victim."
If you have been affected by issues of domestic violence or coercive control you can call Refuge's 24-Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline for free. The number is 0808 2000 247
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