Former Mansfield Town striker Shayne Bradley jailed for stalking ex-girlfriend

Shayne Bradley, who scored 11 goals in 47 appearances for the Stags between 2000 and 2002, made ‘life hell’ for his victim during a four-month reign of terror which led to police using surveillance tactics to catch him in the act.

The 41-year-old, of Vinnings Warehouse, The Docks, Gloucester, repeatedly phoned the woman and sent abusive emails to her when their relationship ended in September last year.

He was arrested for stalking but breached his bail conditions.

Gloucester Crown Court was told that the former footballer – who joined the Field Mill outfit from Premier League side Southampton for a then club record £100,000 – was arrested for stalking the woman in October having left her nightdress on her car when she was in the gym.

He was released on bail and told not to contact the victim.

But four days later as the woman was saying goodbye to a relative she felt somebody was hiding in a nearby hedge.

She then saw Bradley appearing from a neighbouring road, the court was told.

Bradley was arrested again and told not to approach an alleyway behind, or to the side of the victim's home – but police proved he had also defied that order.

He admitted stalking the woman between September and January and was also sentenced to a five-year restraining order to prevent him contacting his victim.

Bradley's ex-partner said in a statement read out to court: "He has always played the victim, lying and deflecting attention from himself.

"The lies he told about me were horrific and he ruined my life, so it is important that people know the real Shayne Bradley.

"I am constantly living in fear that he is out there.

"I don't think he realises that his actions in the past few months have had a ripple effect on my life, my family and no doubt his family too.

"I have felt an overwhelming responsibility to put an end to his behaviour toward women. If I can help any other woman by making them aware of this man and his cold calculated behaviour then that is good enough for me."