Stalker lawyer told to get psychiatric treatment after breaching restraining order to contact ex-mistress
Jonathan Simpson told by judge 'You find it hard to let go' before telling him to get help
A BARRISTER who stalked his ex-mistress was yesterday ordered to get psychiatric help.
Jonathan Simpson, 48, breached a restraining order to contact her.
He and wife Katherine, 49, wrote abusive letters to the family of the mistress, a single mum in Southampton.
They claimed in the letters the ex-mistress had scooped Simpson's semen from her kitchen floor to try and get pregnant.
The pair, of Winchester, Hants, were convicted at London’s Southwark crown court of stalking involving serious distress.
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Simpson was given a six-month sentence suspended for 12 months plus a restraining order with a mental health treatment requirement.
He will have to appear before the Bar Standards Board, who are likely to finish his career as a barrister.
Judge Alistair McCreath told him: “You find it very difficult to let go.
"By doing what you did you have thrown away a career."
His wife received a one-year restraining order and a curfew.
The judge referred to the impact the letters had on the victim and stressed the importance of the restraining order.
He said: "She is entitled to peace of mind in knowing that she has the protection of the law.
"You must leave her alone."
The 18 month affair began after a chance meeting in Southampton's Apple Store which ended with Mr Simpson and the woman exchanging email addresses.
Two weeks later they went on their first date and kissed, signalling what Mr Simpson described as the 'beginning of a slippery slope'.