He started by impersonating her. Amanda's abusive ex-partner would intercept her emails and text messages and send replies to her bosses to sabotage her at work.

Then he started stalking her, lying in wait for her in the carpark outside the large retail chain where she worked as assistant manager, and making threats to her colleagues.

NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman said 73 per cent of criminal cases in the District Court were resolved with a guilty plea. Credit:Louie Douvis

The stress became overwhelming. Amanda, not her real name, took out an apprehended violence order against her former partner and went on sick leave.

"He impersonated her and told her manager she was on an overseas holiday," said Amanda's lawyer, Kimbah Pengelly.