CUMBRIA police has used a powerful new anti-stalking law to help two women who they believe are victims of the crime in north Cumbria.

At Carlisle's Rickergate court, District Judge Gerald Chalk this week approved two interim stalking protection orders which ban the two men involved from making any contact with the women they are said to have stalked.

Andrew James Grant, 43, formerly of Graham Street, Carlisle, has been banned from contacting a woman - from the Whitehaven area - for 66 days.

Court papers accused him of stalking-like behaviour by frequently making unwanted contact with her through Facebook.

He is also accused of loitering near her home.

A police lawyer told that court that an order was necessary to protect her.

The court has yet to give a final ruling on the application for a full stalking protection order.

But District Judge Chalk imposed an interim order which will remain in place until the day of Grant's next court appearance on May 28.

The second police application was against Peter Anthony William Tuck, 49, of Oaklands Drive, Botcherby, Carlisle.

The application alleges that he sent his alleged victim unwanted text messages - and t"strangled, grabbed, and headbutted her," leaving her with facial bruising and damaged glasses.

In his case, District Judge Chalk ruled that he should have no contact with the woman for 42 days.

Nor must he loiter near her home, or go within 20 metres of her.

The court additionally said that Tuck is barred from visiting a Carlisle cafe and a Carlisle school at the beginning and the end of the school day.

Commenting on the new 2019 Stalking Protection Act, Detective Chief Inspector Dan St Quintin said: “Stalking is a very serious offence which causes significant harm to victims and their families.

"The new Stalking Protection Orders which were introduced in January aim to improve the safety of victims and those affected by stalking.

“They are a great tool to prevent fixated, obsessive and unwanted behaviour.

"Acts associated with stalking include, but are not limited to: loitering in a public or private place to come into contact with the victim, monitoring the victim’s social media and internet use, contacting or attempting to contact the victim, watching or spying on the victim, interfering with the victims’ property and publishing material relating to the victim.

“Breaches of these orders will be taken seriously by the constabulary.

"Stalking may often not be reported by victims initially despite the destructive effect upon their lives due to the acts they are being subjected to perhaps appearing trivial at first or due to victims feeling fearful, paranoid or intimidated by their perpetrators.

“The Constabulary are determined to tackle perpetrators of stalking robustly and I encourage anyone to contact us if you believe you are a victim of stalking or have concerns relating to someone you feel may be being stalked.”

The two cases put before the court were unconnected with each other.