DECLAN FRANKLIN

MAN JAILED FOR MORE THAN THREE YEARS AFTER PROLONGED STALKING CAMPAIGN

A 28-year-old man from Northampton has been sentenced to prison after admitting to a prolonged stalking campaign that caused a woman to fear for her safety.

Declan Franklin appeared before Northampton Crown Court on Tuesday, September 30, and changed his plea to guilty on charges of stalking involving fear of violence between October 2024 and April of this year.

During the hearing, Franklin, formerly of Ekins Close, Northampton, was sentenced to 40 months in prison and received an open-ended restraining order that prohibits him from making any contact with the woman.

The court was informed that while incarcerated, Franklin had made numerous threatening calls to the woman after she began a new relationship, which caused her to fear he might harm her.

On March 14, Franklin warned her that he would set her house on fire.

Believing he might do so, the woman contacted Northamptonshire Police to report his threatening behavior and express her safety concerns.

An investigation uncovered the full extent of Franklin’s harassment, leading to charges of stalking with fear of violence, attempted strangulation, and threats to damage property.

Just before a scheduled trial last month, Franklin changed his plea to guilty on the charge of stalking involving fear of violence, resulting in the 40-month prison sentence.

He denied the other allegations, and the judge ordered the counts for threats to damage property and attempted strangulation to remain on file.

Franklin was also ordered to pay a surcharge of £187.