ETHAN COOPER

STALKER IN COURT AFTER THREAT TO SMASH UP HEREFORD HOME

A STALKER who threatened to "smash up" a woman's home has been up before the courts.

Ethan Cooper entered guilty pleas to one count of threatening to damage or destroy property and one of stalking involving serious alarm or distress when he appeared before magistrates in November.

He had pursued a course of conduct that amounted to the stalking of a woman in Herefordshire between October 3 and October 15, causing her serious alarm or distress, prosecutor Camila Toscano told magistrates in Worcester.

His behaviour had included making threats to visit her home over the phone, sending text messages and threatening to damage her property, the court heard.

On October 5, the 25-year-old had threatened to "smash up" the woman's property and windows, with the intention of leaving her fearing that the threat would be carried out.

Cooper, of St Owen Place, Hereford, was handed a community order with 100 hours of unpaid work and ordered to complete a six-month drug rehabilitation programme.

He was also handed an 18-month restraining order banning him from visiting or contacting the victim, and must pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £114 victim surcharge.