A guy that haunted me is in my circle of friends

I got into a casual affair with a guy called Kev*. It started by him suggesting that we just have a fling since I wasn’t interested in a committed relationship. We just had sex and hangouts with friends and it was okay for me. In fact, there were never dates, gifts, romantic texting, or words. One day, he introduced me as his girlfriend to one of his friends. I confronted him about it and he said that he thought that I was his girlfriend. In fact, one of his friends called me his wife. I later realized that he had told his friends, family & acquaintances that I was his girlfriend. Overwhelmed by the realization of a FWB taking me to be his girlfriend without my consent, I ended things immediately. But that’s when things took a turn for the worst.
He would call & text constantly. He would force himself into my house. At one point, I had to hold onto a knife. At another point, he bribed the caretaker to be allowed into the apartment. I decided to move to another apartment but he hunted me down. He made it clear that only death would separate us. The stalking & emotional abuse affected me, so I sought police intervention and he backed off. However, whenever we meet on the road, he approaches me and tells me how much he misses me, but I ask him to back off or I call the police.
Now, the complexity is that we share the same circle of friends. Kev is also part of the circle. I have not hung out with them for a while because of the issue with Kev. I talk to them on the phone. They have reached out and told me how much they miss me. Last week, they invited me for a hangout and we had so much fun. They are usually there for me. On the last hangout, one concerned friend told me that Kev was all over me. Also, the same friend said something that I had only told Kev. On imploring, I realized that Kev had sent screenshots of our private conversations more than once. All of a sudden, I am mad at Kev and I want to confront him for sharing private details with some friends. I don’t even think that I can stand his sight during the next hangout.
I reconnected with my friends because I had missed them. by the way, they believe that Kev acted that way out of love. I’m wondering if I should cut off my friends for Kev? Or should I keep them but avoid Kev when hanging out?
On one side, there is this guy who made my life a living hell after rejection to the point where I had to seek police protection. On the other side, there is this fun group of friends. I don’t make friends easily. I have cut off friends before for various reasons. In fact, 2 months ago, I cut off my best friend for gossiping me. It’s never easy to cut off friends that you share life with. I have talked a lot but I wanted to put everything on the table so that you can give me your opinions on my situation. Thanks in advance.