Woman jailed for harassing banker

Woman jailed for harassing banker

A woman who harassed a bank official after her account was closed has been jailed for 14 days.

Elizabeth Sykes, of Thornton Dale near Pickering, regularly followed Barclays Bank employee Michael McPherson to work in Bridlington holding up signs in her car asking him why her account had been closed.

She would also turn up at the bottom of his street, where she would shout at him, prosecutor Dawn Birkett told Scarborough Magistrates' Court.

Mrs Birkett told the court that Mr McPherson, of Devonshire Drive, Scarborough, reached the point where he could not leave his house without looking over his shoulder.

Financial difficulties

Sykes' war with Mr McPherson began when the bank wrote to her to tell her that her account was to be closed.

The court heard that before that time the pair had enjoyed a good relationship after Mr McPherson helped Sykes overcome some financial difficulties.

Sykes actions first brought her before Scarborough magistrates in December 2001, when she was given a 12-month conditional discharge for harassing Mr McPherson.

Proper channels

She was also made the subject of a two year restraining order banning her from communicating with Mr McPherson.

Ian Brickman, defending, said Sykes accepted her conduct had caused the situation and that any future dealings with Barclays Bank would be conducted through the proper channels.

Sentencing her to 14 days in prison, chairman of the court Carl Harwood said a custodial sentence was justified for breaking the restraining order.