ANTHONY STONE OF LEEDS SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY AND VIOLENCE AGAINST EX-GIRLFRIEND

Anthony Stone, born around 1989 and from Leeds, West Yorkshire, with no fixed address, has been convicted of a series of violent and abusive acts against his former partner, including animal cruelty. Stone's criminal behavior spanned multiple incidents—he assaulted the woman in the street and her own home in Leeds, stole her phone, and damaged her property by throwing a ceramic plant pot through a double-glazed window.

Currently serving a six-year prison sentence for a violent robbery, Stone appeared before Leeds Crown Court where he received an additional 18 months for offences related to his ex-girlfriend. Prosecutor Louise Pryke detailed that on September 4, 2018—six months after their separation—Stone visited her home and claimed he wanted to rekindle their relationship. When she refused, he told her he had stolen her son's computer game and then walked away.

The victim later approached Stone at his home to retrieve the stolen item, but he verbally abused and attacked her. Pryke explained: "He pushed her over using both his hands. She had her head on the floor and he then began kicking her while she was on the floor." The attack ceased only when a neighbour intervened. The woman sustained three broken ribs.

Despite reporting the incident to police, Stone continued to target her. On September 9, he accused her of infidelity, pushed her to the ground, and assaulted her while she was walking her dog near Leeds-Liverpool at Kirkstall. Two days afterward, she discovered Stone inside her home waiting for her. She fled outside, but he chased, punched her in the back, and kicked her dog.

Further violence occurred on September 19 when Stone entered her house and stole her handbag. He returned 20 minutes later and took her mobile phone. During this intrusion, he also threw a ceramic plant pot through a double-glazed window.

Stone pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of common assault, theft, and criminal damage. His criminal record includes previous convictions for robbery and violence. During the court hearing, a victim statement was read aloud, with the woman describing feelings of stress, anxiety, and pain caused by his actions.

Mitigating for Stone, Nicholas Hammond noted that he pleaded guilty early and recognized he faced additional prison time. Judge Tom Bayliss, QC, remarked, "This course of conduct was designed to intimidate her, and it did intimidate her."