ASHINGTON MAN CONVICTED OF STALKING HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND AND PUTTING TRACKER ON HER CAR
A man who stalked his former girlfriend, including placing a tracking device on her vehicle, left her feeling trapped in her own life.John Minnock's obsessive actions began after their relationship ended last summer and persisted for about a month.
During the court hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, it was revealed that he unsuccessfully tried to contact her through various means such as phone calls, emails, her iCloud account, and even on LinkedIn.
Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw explained that the couple had been together since 2018 but separated due to ongoing disagreements during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
He stated, "Minnock appeared to struggle profoundly with accepting the breakup.
He continued to reach out via social media, attempting to contact her on multiple platforms, and would escalate to using personal and work email accounts." The court was also told that Minnock frequently followed her in his car, even when she was driving to work or out socializing in the evenings.
There were instances where he used his daughter’s email to try to reconcile with her, and at one point, he sent flowers to her workplace without any message attached.
Despite being arrested, Minnock continued his harassment after he'd been released on bail.
A distressing incident was described where she arrived at her workplace early in the morning and discovered Minnock standing beside her car, having placed a tracker on it.
She became visibly distressed, panic-stricken, and contemplating staying overnight at a hotel to escape the situation.
The victim later stated in her account that she had to quit her job, sought counseling, and even considered moving house but changed her mind out of fear that Minnock might find her new address.
She expressed feeling confined, stating, "I've had to change my daily routines which used to bring me peace.
I feel like I'm a prisoner in my own life." Minnock, aged 44 from Norwich Close, Ashington, admitted to the stalking offences.
Recorder Giuliani sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.
Defence representative Susannah Proctor acknowledged that Minnock's conduct was unacceptable but emphasised that no threats had been made.
She explained, "It's simply a man who, in the short-term, lost control of himself because he wanted to be in a relationship with this woman and she didn't want to be anymore." He didn't have the appreciation of the effect it was having on her." As part of his sentence, Minnock is required to undertake rehabilitation programs and is subject to a five-year restraining order to ensure the victim's protection.
