THEALE PHOTOGRAPHER JAILED FOR STALKING EX-GIRLFRIEND
A professional photographer has been jailed for stalking his former partner and being found in public with a knife, which he intended to use to take his own life.Andrew Brown, aged 59, was sentenced to three years and eight months in custody at Reading Crown Court on Monday, 23 October.
He was convicted on charges of stalking, breaching bail conditions, and possessing a bladed article.
Brown, based in Theale, had been involved in a four- to five-year affair with the victim.
After she ended the relationship in April this year and began seeing someone else, his behaviour escalated.
The court heard that Brown began following the woman outside her home in Theale and at her workplace, justifying his actions by claiming concern about her new partner, whom he alleged had recently been released from prison for committing a serious offence.
On 9 June, Brown was found in possession of a knife on High Street in High Wycombe.
It was reported he intended to use the weapon to harm himself.
He was arrested shortly after the incident.
Opening the prosecution, Shona Probert told the court: “Mr Brown was angry and upset at this [the relationship ending], and the day after, [the victim] woke up to abusive and offensive messages.” “Two days later, she received over 20 calls from Mr Brown, which led her to block his number.” Miss Probert added that in the following three weeks, the victim began receiving calls from a private number, and more than 100 emails from Brown.
After being arrested, he was given bail conditions instructing him not to contact the victim or go near her home or workplace.
Despite this, he was seen loitering outside her block of flats.
While at work, she observed him passing by on multiple occasions throughout the day.
Miss Probert also noted that Brown had been seen in public with a knife, and had vandalised her partner’s vehicle by scratching the words “You will pay” into it.
In a victim impact statement presented to the court, the woman described how Brown’s actions had severely affected her mental health.
She said she no longer felt safe either at home or at work.
Defending, Mr Joseph told the court: “He is remorseful and he regrets his actions.
There are a number of things he wishes he did differently, and the time spent on remand has allowed him time for reflection.” Mr Joseph said Brown’s behaviour stemmed partly from concern over the new partner, whom Brown believed had previously served a life sentence for a grave offence.
The court was also informed that Brown, of Cumber Place, had three prior convictions for three separate offences.
While delivering sentence, Judge Greenfield referenced the knife incident: “I understand you intended to take your own life, but members of the public who witnessed the event could not have known that.”
