JACK MAKEPEACE SHIRLEY STALKER SENTENCED TO 20 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR HARASSMENT

A man named Jack Makepeace, aged 31, has been sentenced to prison following a series of disturbing and relentless acts of stalking against his former girlfriend in Shirley. The court found him guilty of engaging in a campaign of harassment that caused significant alarm and distress between March 11 and March 19, 2025. The sentencing took place on May 16, when Makepeace was handed a 20-month jail term for his actions.

According to court proceedings, Makepeace's harassment involved an overwhelming volume of communication directed at his victim. He reportedly made over 1,000 phone calls and sent more than 1,000 unsolicited messages, many of which contained threats. These threats included alarming claims that her life was in danger, further intensifying her fear and anxiety. The prosecutor, Pierre De Garis, detailed how the relationship between Makepeace and his victim initially appeared to be promising, with the woman being 'besotted' with him at the start. However, the relationship took a dark turn after she submitted a Clare’s Law request, a legal measure that allows police to disclose a partner’s criminal history if there is a perceived risk of harm.

Following her request, the victim was informed that Makepeace was classified as a 'high risk person.' It was revealed that he had a conviction for a sexual offence and was registered on the sex offenders register. Despite his claims to police that he was not in a good mental state and lacked 'consequential thinking skills,' Makepeace had a troubling criminal history. His previous convictions included an incident involving meeting or communicating with a child under 16 following grooming behavior. His threatening conduct extended to references to her family, including her parents’ address, which caused her to fear for her own safety and that of her loved ones.

Police located Makepeace sleeping in a car shortly after the victim contacted them for help. During the court hearing, his legal representative described him as 'incredibly remorseful,' asserting that his threats were made 'out of desperation' and that he did not intend to carry out any harm. Nonetheless, the court highlighted the graphic and threatening nature of his actions, with the judge stating, 'Your intention was to cause her the maximum amount of distress possible.'

In addition to the sentencing, it was noted that Makepeace’s behavior was driven by a desire to inflict maximum distress on his victim. The court also acknowledged his history of domestic violence allegations from multiple partners, painting a troubling picture of his pattern of abusive conduct. This case underscores the serious consequences of stalking and harassment, especially when combined with a history of violence and threats, and highlights the importance of legal measures like Clare’s Law in protecting potential victims.