Man who made 13,000 abusive calls to Peterborough ex is jailed

A man has been handed a further jail sentence after making thousands of threatening and abusive calls to his former girlfriend from prison.

Brendan Gourlay, 37, was arrested and recalled to prison in late February 2024 and spent time in jail until October.

A month before his release, his former partner in Peterborough contacted police to say Gourlay had threatened and verbally abused her and her family in messages and voicemails. Investigations revealed he had been using a prison tablet device to contact her.

Det Con Jake Owen, of Cambridgeshire Police, said: “As this case highlights, behaviour of this nature can leave victims feeling isolated and very frightened.”

Gourley has been jailed for a further three years and three months, and was handed a five-year restraining order.

Data from the tablet revealed Gourlay had called his ex about 13,000 times between March and October 2024 – sometimes more than 100 times every day.

Gourlay was arrested but denied trying to get in contact with his former girlfriend, but later admitted one count of harassment with fear of violence at a hearing at Cambridge Crown Court in February.

Gourlay, of Anford Close, Nottingham, was sentenced to prison at the same court on Friday.

Det Con Owen, who investigated, added: “Gourlay’s threatening behaviour and the impact it has had on his victim cannot be underestimated.

“I hope the conclusion of this case allows the victim to move on from this upsetting period of her life and gives her some closure.

“It’s important that victims of harassment know we are always here for them and will support them.”