Besotted Tory councillor 'bought his bus-driving ex-lover presents for her cats ... trends now
A besotted Tory councillor bought an ex-lover presents for her cats in a bid to win her back - and then threatened to kill them when she rejected his advances, a court heard today.
Mark Mewse, 64, is accused of harassing Sarah Houchin with a 'constant barrage' of messages in an attempt to rekindle their relationship after they broke up.
Salisbury Magistrates' Court heard how the Conservative committee chair tried to woo her back by leaving flowers on her car bonnet, sending her cards and gifting her and her cats a bag of presents for Christmas.
Ms Houchin - who is in her early 50s - told the court that she made it 'very clear' she didn't want to re-enter a relationship with the defendant, who denies the charge.
She said she was left 'anxious and nervous' about doing her bus driving job as he would regularly 'pop up' around Salisbury, Wiltshire.
CCTV footage played in court today shows the Salisbury City councillor waving at her and blowing her kisses as she drove around in May 2023.
He is even accused of 'chasing' her into the office at work which left her 'extremely shaken and upset', as well as encouraging her to show him 'compassion' on World Mental Health Day.
Mark Mewse (pictured outside Salisbury Magistrates' Court) is accused of harassing Sarah Houchin with a 'constant barrage' of messages in an attempt to rekindle their relationship after they broke up
Ms Houchin (pictured outside court) said that she made it 'very clear' she didn't want to re-enter a relationship with the defendant, who denies the charge
Opening the harassment trial today, prosecutor Elizabeth Varela said Ms Houchin started at Salisbury Reds bus company - where Mewse was an instructor - in December 2021.
'The defendant knew the victim because they worked at the same place for some time,' she said.
'Sarah Houchin is going to tell you she got a job on the buses - that's where the defendant used to work and was an instructor.
'Following being taken on by the company they then began a relationship.
'It was generally okay when they started, couple of times a week they would do ordinary things, go out for meals and did go on holiday a few times.
'Following the end of the relationship, that's when we say the harassment began.
'The defendant tried to speak to her, when she made it very clear she didn't want any contact.
'He left gifts for her, sent cards and communicated via social media and emails.'
Giving evidence, Ms Houchin said they started a relationship with Mewse - the Chair of the Personnel Committee at Salisbury City Council - around Christmas 2021.
When the couple returned from a holiday in September 2022, they had an argument and Mewse 'ended the relationship'.
However, after she messaged him about returning a book, the 'constant barrage started'.
'He kept asking if I would go and meet him but he wouldn't take no for an answer,' she said, 'he kept on and on.'
Ms Houchin said they started a relationship with Mewse (pictured today) - the Chair of the Personnel Committee at Salisbury City Council - around Christmas 2021.
She said he wanted to meet up for a drink and despite saying
