After confessing today to pestering an elderly widow with gifts and marriage proposals after they met on a Saga-style cruise vacation, an enamoured pensioner faces six months in jail.
Welshman Douglas Dabb made 330-mile round trips to bother Wendy Winstanley, also 77, in her hometown and made surprise appearances at volunteer-related church events.
Mrs. Winstanley declined his eager advances, but retired Hitachi employee Dabb from the South Wales village of Cwmaman, which used to be a coal mining community, sent her abusive messages and a card wishing her a “horrible birthday” after she declined his advances.
Dabb also wrote her a letter wishing her ill health and expressing his hope that she would suffer severe injuries in a car accident.
Mrs. Winstanley of Sandbach, Cheshire, was forced to ask neighbours to watch out for her during her ordeal in case he showed up at church services or fairs.
When Dabb was able to sneak inside the building while she was standing in the pew area, she was so terrified of her unwanted admirer that she was described as being “white as a sheet” and sobbing.
After admitting stalking Mrs. Winstanley, who is believed to work in a supermarket, in Crewe Magistrates’ Court, Dabb was given the warning that he could spend up to six months in jail.
Dobbs first met Mrs. Winstanley while on vacation five years ago, and they stayed in touch over time. According to the court record, they were only friends and never engaged in a romantic relationship, with Mrs. Winstanley “making it clear she wasn’t interested in anything more.”
As each holiday came to an end, Dobbs would try to hug and kiss her, forcing the prosecutor, Miss Yvonne Dobson, to “turn her head to avoid kissing him.”
Mrs. Winstanley informed Dobbs while on a cruise that she resided in Sandbach, and the two set up a visit. She picked him up at the railway station and then took him on a tour of the city.
She started dating another man in June 2021, Ms. Dobson testified in court. But the defendant called her in July 2021 and asked to spend the night at her house because he wanted to visit the area once more.
She responded with “No,” claiming that her partner would not approve, but in August 2021, he got in touch with her once more and inquired about her response should he propose to her. That surprised her because she had never been romantically involved with him or in a relationship with him. Around this time, he developed a new attitude.
She received a birthday card in the mail in September that was “a bit early,” and she took a call the same day wondering whether she had.
The handwritten note on the card wished her ill luck and expressed the hope that her birthday would be “awful.”
Dobbs allegedly went to the woman’s house while she was gone and attached flowers and a card to her gate post, according to the prosecution.
The court was told that Mrs. Winstanley notified her other parishioners about Dabb in October “in case he turned up” since she had told him about her church. Then, in November, the defendant sent her a five-page letter.
He said that Mrs. Winstanley would make for a nice one-night stand. He informed her how much in love he was with her, according to Miss Dobson. He wanted her to get sick and suffer terrible injuries in a car accident.
Dabb did show up to the church during their Christmas Fair in early December, according to testimony given in court. She said that he had given her an ornate bike, which Mrs. Winstanley had seen on one of their cruises. She thought he personally brought the bike and the other letter, too.
The prosecution stated: “After the defendant left the church, she sobbed in the kitchen and told others that he had been pursuing her and that she was scared of him.
‘On December 8th, 2021, she got a Christmas card with a typical greeting, which she thought odd given all the nasty things he had previously said.
She then got a second envelope on February 15, 2022, with a second class stamp on it, despite thinking it had been hand delivered.
A note and two green tea bags were inside. She had given him the tea bags on a previous voyage. She said that she disliked green tea bags. That worried and surprised her.
The defendant entered the church on March 21 of this year, while she was standing by the pews.
He was persuaded to leave by someone. The person first spoke with the defendant before turning to Mrs. Winstanley.
She started crying, and the person noticed that she was as white as a sheet. The complainant also got a few phone calls, but she can’t recall the precise times or dates.
Miss Dobson informed the court that Mrs. Winstanley eventually went to the police, who spoke with Dabb on April 2, despite the fact that the victim had never written to Dabb or responded to any of the letters or cards he had sent.
Miss Dobson stated, “During the interview, Mr. Dabb acknowledged every card and letter sent.”
He was aware that he had gone too far. He claimed that he was simply trying to vent. He could comprehend Mrs. Winstanley’s feelings.
Mrs. Winstanley was forced to inform her church of the harassment due to the distress it had caused, and she sobbed when she learned the defendant had been present.
Dabb was a man of previously good character, but regrettably he loses that before the court today, according to defence attorney Taryn Reay.
He is 77 years old and has never previously run into legal issues. He has had a peaceful life, and I am certain as I can be that he won’t cause any more difficulty in the courts.
He met the complaint on a group vacation, and they became friends, Miss Reay said. They took at least 12 vacations, some alone themselves and others with other people.
The relationship was excellent. They were simply good pals, therefore not very excellent.
Then he requested to remain on her couch. She had previously offered, but he believed that if she were in a relationship, he would decline.
He repeatedly questioned her, “Are you in a relationship?” But she never responded that she was. This is not an excuse since his behaviour was unacceptable whether or not she had informed him.
But it only clarifies why a 77-year-old guy who had never previously been into difficulties acted in this manner. He wanted her to acknowledge their connection and indicate whether or not he should stay in touch.
To his credit, there hasn’t been any communication since March 20. He is aware that there can be no further contact. This was a nice relationship that turned disastrously bad for Mr. Dabb.
Dabb worked at Hitachi from 1964 until 2000, and after retirement, he looked after his mother for seven years.
He began travelling after she passed away since he was retired, which is when the holidays began to take place, according to Miss Reay.
He enjoys taking sleeper trains to see various regions of the nation.
Later this month, Dabb will get a punishment after JPs ordered probation reports. He was prohibited from communicating with Mrs. Winstanley in any way or going to her address as part of the terms of his release.