Stalking victim will help others after ex stabbed himself in chest

Hayden Gavaghan, (28), of Beverstone, Orton Brimbles followed the woman to beauty appointments, frogmarched her to a pub and, eventually, tailed her home and stabbed himself in the chest.

His 25-year-old victim was in court to see him jailed last week - and following the sentencing, she urged others who were being mentally abused to come forward and speak out.

The mother, who lives in Cambridgeshire but asked to remain anonymous, said: “If you are being abused it is up to you to make the decision to leave. Friends and family can advise you, but it is down to you. I told Hayden a number of times I didn’t want to go to the police, and I didn’t. I had been in love with him.

“I was a lively, bubbly person, but over the past couple of years I had been more subdued. Now I have done this I am more myself. “

In court, a victim impact statement was read from the woman. She said: “The series of incidents leading up to Hayden stabbing himself in the chest has had a massive impact on my mental health.

“I fear going out anywhere in public, but I know I have to because of work and my daughter.”

Now Hayden’s ex is planning on helping others. She said: “Speaking out is scary, and speaking to the police is scary, but they have been brilliant. They put me in touch with victim support, who have been very good. “I want to sign up to an organisation who helps other people who have been through or are going through what I did. I want to be able to help other people.”

The court heard how on July 5, Gavaghan arrived outside his former girlfriend’s house. Fearing what he might do, she asked him to go to the shop for her. She used this opportunity to leave but Gavaghan had gained entry to the house and used a knife to cut his own throat. The following day, he interrupted his ex-partner’s nail salon appointment As she tried to walk to her car, Gavaghan frogmarched her to a pub. He became aggressive, grabbing the neck of her jumper as she tried to leave.

On July 12, as his ex-girlfriend was attempting to leave a car park he used his own car to block her exit. After she claimed she needed to visit another store, Gavaghan let the woman leave. He tailgated her car as she drove home, flashing his vehicle’s lights.

When they pulled up at her home, Gavaghan pulled a four-inch knife from his pocket and plunged it into his chest.

Gavaghan pleaded guilty to stalking and possession of a bladed article. Along with the jail term, a ten year restraining order was put in place.