A Kent woman developed an unhealthy obsession with her gynaecologist.
Lisa Beevers, 58, of Sholden, near Deal, previously admitted an offence of stalking involving serious alarm or distress.
She appeared for sentencing at Margate Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 30th January 2025.
Stalking involving serious alarm or distress is an offence under section 4A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. It has a maximum sentence of 12 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction; 10 years' custody and/or an unlimited fine on conviction on indictment.
Magistrates heard that Beevers had been a patient of her consultant gynaecologist, Dr Martin Farrugia, for the last nine years.
Her unhealthy interest in the medic started when she underwent treatment at the Spencer Private Hospital, Margate in November 2023.
She returned to the hospital a few days later and demanded to see the doctor, who wasn't there at the time.
Neil Sweeney, prosecuting, said that the 58-year-old left a card with the message: "Thank you so much for taking care of me." She signed off with a kiss, love heart and the words: "If you are a free man, text me".
Over the following weeks she sent a letter to Dr Farrugia's work place, in which she expressed her love and vowed to "get him". She also returned to the hospital bearing expensive gifts and a further love letter, which she followed up with a phone call to ensure they had been delivered to the doctor.
By January 2024 the police had been alerted to Beevers' activities and warned her against further contact.
However, by the start of February 2024 she had resumed her unwanted advances, visiting the hospital with further gifts and letters for Dr Farrugia. She also assumed a false identity on the telephone to Dr Farrugia's secretary, who she managed to dupe into disclosing the doctor's mobile telephone number.
Beevers then sent a string of disturbing text and voice messages, which left Dr Farrugia concerned about the safety of his family.
In June 2024 he moved to work at a different hospital, but Beevers still managed to track him down and continued with her unwanted advances.
She was finally arrested a few days later. When charged with stalking she replied: "I have been a very silly woman."
Dr Farrugia, in a victim personal statement, said: "It has worried me to the extent I have had nightmares about this... at this point, I'm considering changing my working pattern.
"I'm also worried about the impact this will have on my partner, who is aware of the situation, and my children."
Ian Bond, mitigating, told the court that his client was of previous good character.
She had been experiencing personal problems, which she discussed with Dr Farrugia during consultations. This had led to him becoming "a confidant rather than just a professional advisor."
Mr Bond added: "She became obsessed by Dr Farrugia and sought him out but she was in a state of mental distress at the time."
Having heard the circumstances Magistrates were of the view that the court's sentencing powers were insufficient given the magnitude of the offence.
Beevers was granted conditional bail until her next hearing at Canterbury Crown Court, which should be around Thursday, 27th February 2025.
In the meantime she is banned from contacting Dr Farrugia other than to attend a legitimate medical appointment.
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