JAIL SENTENCE FOR MAN WHO CALLED POLICE 15 TIMES AND STALKED HIS EX
A man has been sentenced to jail following his arrest in a McDonald's restroom, where authorities found he had called police 15 times to request unnecessary welfare checks on an ex-partner.Carl McDonnell, who has no fixed address, received a 31-month prison term at Reading Crown Court.
He faced charges of stalking, criminal damage, wasting police resources, possession of a Class A drug, and breaching a suspended sentence.
In November of the previous year, McDonnell admitted to the charges at Milton Keynes Magistrates Court.
Prosecutor Keith Hadrill outlined that from October 6, 2022, to November 11, 2022, McDonnell repeatedly visited his ex-partner’s residence and made frequent calls to her.
He also trespassed into a pub where she was dining unannounced and tried to get others to communicate with her on his behalf.
On a particular occasion, he called her using an unknown number and made a threatening comment: “Who raped you, I already know.” Hadrill added that the victim felt intimidated, scared, and anxious.
During this period, McDonnell called police 15 times, requesting welfare checks alleging that she had been raped.
He was detained on October 17, 2022, but was released on bail on the condition he would refrain from contacting her or unnecessary communication with authorities.
Despite this, McDonnell continued his behavior and was eventually arrested after being found hiding in a McDonald's bathroom.
During the arrest, he damaged the rear windshield wiper of a police vehicle and was discovered with five bags of a Class A drug while in custody.
Defense lawyer Alex Kettle-Williams noted that McDonnell had undergone seven voluntary and two mandatory drug assessments, all of which yielded negative results.
He also participated in alcohol and narcotics anonymous meetings and had abstained from substances for over two months.
The judge, Sarah Campbell, sentenced McDonnell to 16 months for harassment.
Additional penalties included 15 months for violating a suspended sentence originally issued at Aylesbury Court on April 23, 2021, for coercive and abusive behavior toward another ex-partner, specifically checking her body for signs of infertility.
These sentences are to run concurrently, with a 14-day sentence for criminal damage, two months for wasting police time, and an additional two months for drug possession.
Judge Campbell remarked that the victim expressed a constant fear, stating in a personal statement that she was constantly on edge and frightened, even within her own home.
