'You dirty rat, you cancer patient'

Man harassed poorly ex with 'nasty and cruel' language in dispute over their kids

- Sentinel Reporter

DAD Gareth Ferns harassed his ex-partner and said his mates would put her windows through.

The 36-year-old called his victim - who was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer - numerous times from a withheld number and made 'nasty comments' to her about her illness including referring to her as a 'skinhead.

The offences placed Ferns in breach of a two-year suspended jail sentence.

But Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Ferns has been making good progress and a judge decided not to activate the suspended sentence.

Instead Ferns. pictured, was handed a 12-month community order with 60 days' electronic monitoring.

Prosecutor James Hudson said Ferns and his partner split up in 2023. But he would turn up at her house and call her constantly.