By Staff Reporter

Last updated at 11:32, Thursday, 26 July 2012

A pregnant woman had to call police 68 times to ask them to remove her ex-court partner from her house, magistrates heard.

Neighbours also called officers another 23 times after Leo Christopher Maleney, 44, climbed through a boarded-up window into the property in Botcherby.

Maleney, of Botcherby Avenue, pleaded guilty to harassing Michelle Dixon, who is five months pregnant, when he appeared in court in Carlisle.

Diane Jackson, prosecuting, said that since Miss Dixon moved to her current address she had phoned police 68 times to ask that Maleney be removed. Neighbours had also phoned the police a further 23 times.

On July 24 the police were again called to Miss Dixon’s home after Maleney had climbed through a boarded-up window.

She told officers she had been scared and told him to leave but he said “I love you, don’t be nasty”.

The court heard police kept Maleney in custody overnight, but an hour after being released he went back to her home and climbed in again.

During a police interview Maleney told officers he was Miss Dixon’s boyfriend and that she was pregnant with their child.

He claimed he had gone to see her and had let himself in with the key she had previously given him. He later admitted that he climbed through a window because he knew she wouldn’t let him in.

Elizabeth Muir, defending Maleney, told the court that he had a long-standing battle with alcohol and needed help.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing until August 16 for reports.

Maleney was granted conditional bail.

First published at 11:28, Thursday, 26 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk