A multi-millionaire university chairman harassed his ex partner and tried to get her sacked during a three month campaign ‘because he was lonely.’
John Harley tracked Raine Lacey’s movements, waited outside her daughter’s house, sent her children emails and even rang the doctor’s surgery where she worked to say she was unfit to work.
The 66-year-old also scattered plant pots and a vacuum cleaner around the surgery’s car park.
Harley, who resigned from his role as chairman of the board of governors of the University of Brighton when the allegations surfaced, claimed he launched the three month campaign of harassment because he ‘felt alone’.
Harley resigned from his role as chairman of the board of governors of the University of Brighton (pictured) when the allegations surfaced
But the prosecutor said the ‘very wealthy man’ had plenty of resources and felt he was ‘above the law’.
The harassment started on November 6, shortly after the couple’s two-year relationship ended in October 2017.
In November Miss Lacey sent the defendant a letter telling him why she had left and asking him to leave her alone, the court heard.
Later that month, Harley delivered possessions to Miss Lacey’s daughter’s house.
He was told that she did not want any more property.
Prosecutor Paul Edwards said: ‘The following day the victim arrived at work to find the car park littered with plant pots, a hoover and other items.
Harley, of Hartfield, East Sussex, pleaded guilty to a single charge of harassment at Hastings Magistrates’ Court (pictured)
‘This was clearly embarrassing for the victim.’
He told the court that Harley’s harassment of his ex-girlfriend continued into December.
In one instance he sent emails to all five of Miss Lacey’s daughters, and in another he left property outside the home of one of her friends.
Miss Lacey reported him to police in mid-December, with a PC Daniels telling Harley to leave her alone.
The prosecutor added: ‘On January 15, 2018, Miss Lacey was visiting her daughter’s house in Tunbridge Wells when she saw the defendant outside.
‘He told the victim he knew she would be there as it was her normal routine.
‘On January 29 all three doctors at the surgery where the victim worked received a letter from Mr Harley.
‘He told them he had serious concerns about the victim and her ability to do her duties.’
Mr Edwards added: ‘During the course of the harassment the victim felt the need to change her appearance.
‘She changed her car through fear he was tracking her.
‘The defendant is a very wealthy man and the victim feels he has the resources to harm her and he thinks he is above the law.’
The prosecution appealed to the magistrates to make Harley subject to a restraining order.
Tanya Robinson, defending Harley, said up until this incident Harley had been of ‘impeccable character’.
She added: ‘He continues to be a committed family man and has done a great deal of charity work.
‘The first thing to say is that the behaviour that Mr Harley admits was entirely out of character.
‘There is no doubt that the defendant really struggled with the later breakup of his relationship.
‘Unfortunately in his distress he was not thinking clearly about his actions.’
She told the court that ‘thankfully’ the letters to Miss Lacey’s work colleagues were not read by them.
She added: ‘Importantly it was never his intention to cause Miss Lacey alarm or distress.
‘He says he felt very alone.’
Harley, of Hartfield, East Sussex, pleaded guilty to a single charge of harassment at Hastings Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
He will be sentenced at a later date.