STALKER BANNED FROM CONTACTING PARTNER COULD FACE JAIL AFTER HE WAS FOUND HIDING IN CUPBOARD AT HER HOME
Bradley O’Neill was found inside a woman’s house in Maidstone in August by law enforcement officers.When questioned, he claimed his name was Martin.
Investigations showed that the 45-year-old was subject to a Stalking Protection Order (SPO) issued in 2022, as well as a restraining order from the previous year following a domestic abuse conviction.
Both orders barred him from entering the woman’s property or making contact with her.
O’Neill, formerly residing in Orpington and now with no fixed abode, admitted to harassment and breaching the court orders during his court appearance in August.
On October 20, he appeared in Folkestone Magistrates’ Court in custody after violating bail conditions through his presence at the woman’s home again.
Prosecutor Julie Farbrace stated that police responded to a distress call on August 24 about loud banging at the woman’s home.
Upon arrival, officers found O’Neill hiding in a cupboard, claiming his name was Martin.
Checks confirmed his identity and the court orders he had violated.
The restraining order was established at Maidstone Crown Court in 2021 for five years, and a seven-year SPO was issued in February 2022.
He breached both orders and made no comment during police interviews.
O’Neill has nearly 40 previous convictions, including controlling behaviour and breaches of the restraining and SPOs.
He had been previously jailed and subject to a community order for making contact despite restrictions.
The woman had not submitted a statement about the recent breaches.
Prosecutors described the offences as significantly aggravated by his past conduct.
Defense solicitor Michelle Pibworth highlighted that the woman was agreeable to their meetings and that court orders are difficult to lift; she noted that he had already served close to seven weeks in custody and that there were no ongoing issues between them, though she acknowledged conflicts with her neighbor.
She explained that the woman understood the orders and was supportive of his presence, emphasising their nearly seven-year relationship and history of alcohol dependence.
The lawyer suggested their love and mutual desire to reconcile, including efforts to overcome substance abuse.
Prosecutor Farbrace responded that there was no evidence of compliance from the woman in the CPS records, and she stressed that the breaches were intentional and ongoing, compounded by his failure to adhere to bail conditions.
Given his extensive criminal record, the magistrates agreed to send the case to Maidstone Crown Court for sentencing.
O’Neill remains detained until the sentencing hearing, which will be scheduled after a pre-sentencing report is completed next month.
