MAN WHO STALKED EX-PARTNER IS SPARED JAIL
A STALKER who tracked his ex-partner’s movements by interfering with her phone settings then threatened to have sex with her has been spared jail.Jonathan Griffiths, 34, went to the shop where the woman worked, took her in a car and threatened to have intercourse with her against her will.
He also attended her address twice and made threats that put her in fear of violence, Cardiff Crown Court heard.
He sent her texts which were "erratic" and "increasingly threatening." He was on bail for allegedly assaulting her and another man at the time.
Judge David Miller gave him an 18-month suspended jail sentence and imposed a restraining order that will stop him from going to her home in Blaenau Gwent.
The judge said: “She was vulnerable because of her ill health and her inferior physical strength.
To cap all that, you were on bail at the magistrates court for assaulting her and assaulting a man with whom she had a relationship.
The fact you were on bail at the time highly aggravates the fact.
Over a period of time, you put a vulnerable female in real fear of violence, including sexual violence.” Prosecutor Caroline Rees said the woman had been “greatly affected” by what had happened.
Griffiths, of Manor Court, Curlew Close, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to one count of stalking involving fear of violence or serious harm between August and November last year.
Defense barrister Hywel Hughes said his client had admitted to him this had not been his “finest hour”.
The judge accepted there had not been any actual violence and that Griffiths was genuinely remorseful.
He was ordered not to contact the woman or go to her address, and to complete a programme on “building better relationships.” He must pay £200 costs and a £100 surcharge.
Griffiths had already spent three months on remand.
