ANTONY DEBONO'S HORRIFIC STALKING SPREE IN ESSEX AND EAST LONDON
Antony Debono, a 44-year-old man from Essex, has been sentenced to 28 months in prison following a series of disturbing and invasive actions targeting a woman he knew.The court heard how Debono's campaign of harassment, which began in May of this year, culminated in a frightening incident where he was caught wearing the victim's personal underwear and sniffing cocaine off her kitchen counter in her flat located in East London.
Debono's troubling behavior included using the victim's Instagram account to send explicit messages to her friend, with phrases such as 'F**king you', 'F**king your fanny', and 'F**king your boobs'.
When the victim confronted him about these lewd messages, he denied any involvement.
The harassment escalated further when, on May 15, he sent similar sexually explicit messages directly to her via Facebook, including graphic descriptions of sexual acts and references to her wearing a red thong.
Despite the victim blocking his number on WhatsApp, Debono continued his disturbing conduct.
On May 16, he left her 64 voicemails, detailing his sexual fantasies and desires, which included statements like 'I want to give my...
a nice good f**k'.
The victim, feeling increasingly threatened and distressed, decided to take a holiday to Thailand from May 24 to June 5.
During her absence, Debono unlawfully entered her flat, rummaged through her belongings, specifically her knicker drawer, and left her underwear scattered across her bedroom floor.
He also took photographs of her underwear.
Debono's obsession did not end there.
When the victim traveled to Spain for another holiday, he returned to her residence once again.
This time, he rifled through her knicker drawer and draped a pair of red pants over her bathtub.
The situation escalated to the point where police were called by a friend after discovering cocaine on the kitchen counter, underwear strewn across the flat, and Debono himself wearing a grey thong belonging to the victim.
The victim provided a heartfelt impact statement, which was read aloud in court by prosecutor Sarah Gabay.
She described feeling 'disgusted and ashamed' due to Debono's messages and revealed that she felt 'stupid' for believing he had changed.
She explained that the harassment caused her to suffer from anxiety, panic attacks, chest pains, and nightmares.
She expressed her fear that Debono might follow through on his threats and even harm her physically, stating, 'I'm in fear he might kill me afterwards.' During the hearing, Ms.
Gabay characterized Debono's actions as 'grossly offensive' and emphasized the significant emotional toll inflicted upon the victim.
The court was told that she had made substantial lifestyle changes to avoid any contact with him.
Defense lawyer Sumita Mahtab-Shaikh acknowledged her client's remorse and noted that Debono was making efforts to overcome his alcohol and drug issues.
She explained that his intoxication at the time of the offenses impaired his insight into the impact of his behavior and suggested that there was a troubled background to their relationship.
Judge Philip Brook-Smith KC described Debono's messages and voicemails as 'disturbing', 'unpleasant', and 'threatening'.
He highlighted the considerable suffering endured by the victim and acknowledged her attempts to cope with the threats and anxiety.
Ultimately, Debono was sentenced to 28 months in prison for stalking.
The court also issued a restraining order prohibiting him from entering the London Borough of Redbridge and from making any contact with the victim or her daughter.
The drugs found in his possession, specifically the cocaine, are to be destroyed, and no separate penalty was imposed for the drug possession itself.
