WINCHCOMBE STALKER WHO THREW PETROL CANS AT WOMAN'S BEDROOM JAILED
A 35-year-old Winchcombe stalker who was high on amphetamines when he threw the contents of two petrol cans at a woman’s bedroom and a van parked outside her home was jailed for 43 months.Gloucester Crown Court was told although the cans contained only water, the actions of Farren Holmes were designed to maximise the distress caused to his victim.
James Tucker, prosecuting, said on February 9 last year Holmes of Langley Close, Winchcombe, went to the woman’s home on three separate occasions and dropped items on the step each time.
He then he remained outside the address for some time.
On February 12 he made contact with a family member and made threats to them saying that if he was not allowed in he would kick the door in," Mr Tucker said.
"He was warned not to turn up and told that if he did they would call the police.
Holmes responded 'If I'm not let in I'll smash my way in'.
On Monday February 15, at around 7.30pm Holmes told the woman he was coming round and was going to cut his throat in front of whoever was in the house.
He turned up shortly afterwards but drove off before the police arrived.
Holmes was arrested on February 17 and told police he was depressed.
He was given police bail not to contact the woman.
Holmes then sent messages to a mutual friend on the same day asking to speak to her as he wanted to see her.
He renewed his request on Saturday, March 6, but was told that the woman was away.
The following day, Sunday, March 7, the woman heard Holmes shouting outside her window at 4.30pm and she slammed the window shut and he left.
On the Monday at 9.25pm she heard him kicking on her front door, shouting at her ‘Please just speak to me,’ but she did not answer him.
Watching from an upstairs window, the woman saw Holmes go into his van, which was parked outside her address, and grab a red petrol can and throw the contents at a bedroom window.
He then picked up a hammer and smashed the passenger side window of her car.
Holmes then started walking around with a green petrol can in one hand and the hammer in the other, shouting, ‘Bring it on, come on,’ and poured the contents over his own van.
The woman by this stage was very fearful and scared and called the police.
When the police arrived Holmes ran off, throwing the hammer on the ground.
On examination of the contents of the petrol cans it was discovered that it had only been water.
The court heard that Holmes began another campaign on April 16 sending the woman a number of messages.
She barricaded herself in and Holmes was arrested and found in possession of a baseball bat.
In August he said he would post one of the 250 naked photographs that he had of her on the internet.
He then threatened to smash up her stables.
He told landowners he was going to kill her.
The woman said she had thought about suicide.
She added his addiction to speed had ruined her family.
She said: "I never thought that somebody so good to me when we first met could turn this way." Lloyd Jenkins defending, said: “Holmes’ expectations have been managed and he is fully aware he will receive a custodial sentence.
“The catalyst to all this is the breakdown of the relationship and he was not able to deal with the situation.
“Holmes blames all this on his addiction to drugs.
He realises that he needs to be sentenced for a whole host of offences.
While he has been remanded in custody he has been diagnosed with anxiety and depression.
“Holmes has admitted that this was a deliberate act to cause distress.
He had been a good family member when he wasn’t involved in drugs.
He is ashamed of his behaviour and he basically couldn’t let go of the relationship.” Holmes admitted the stalking, breaching a restraining order and possession of amphetamine.
The Judge, Recorder Sarah Regan, told Holmes: “The real reason your relationship broke down and the difficulties thereafter came about because of your addiction to drugs.
“You have a propensity for harassment offences.
Your offending this time was aimed at causing maximum distress and involved a high degree of planning.
Only a custodial sentence can be justified.” The judge jailed Holmes of 43 months and imposed a 10-year restraining order banning him from contact with his victim except through lawyers.
