SWANSEA MAN STALKS EX, BOMBARDS HER WITH MESSAGES, AND IS SENTENCED TO SUSPENDED PRISON FOR HARASSMENT
Joshua Hearn, aged 27, of Mile End Close, Gendros, Swansea, engaged in a lengthy campaign of stalking and harassment against his former partner following the end of their relationship.The court heard that after their breakup on April 9 this year, Hearn bombarded his ex with hundreds of messages, calls, and emails, including on various social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, with around 200 emails from six different accounts.
He also made multiple missed calls — on one day alone, 40 calls were made in four and a half hours — and created six different TikTok profiles to continue messaging her when blocked.
Hearn's threatening messages included phrases such as "I will show you the meaning of 'not giving a f***'" and "I f****** ruin you." He also phoned her workplace, claiming to be her brother with a supposed 'family emergency,' before turning up at the supermarket where she worked and following her around, telling her he would get her sacked and saying, "You either speak to me or I will get you f****** sacked." He was subsequently escorted out by security.
Hearn's behavior deeply affected his ex, who reported feeling worried, sad, and upset.
She experienced sleeplessness, became 'petrified' of leaving the house due to fear of encountering him, changed her routines, and installed CCTV cameras because she felt like 'a prisoner in her own home.' In a victim impact statement, she described her emotional distress and her loss of hope in returning to her former happy self.
Hearn had previously pleaded guilty to stalking in court.
He has a past conviction from 2018 for assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
During sentencing, Hearn's barrister acknowledged his conduct was 'deeply unpleasant' and suggested he had support from his work and paid support for his children, with a plea for leniency.
The judge noted that Hearn had 'relentlessly pursued' his ex using 'vulgar, aggressive and threatening language' over a relatively short period.
The court sentenced Hearn to 12 months in prison, which was suspended for two years, and ordered him to complete a rehabilitation course.
He was also placed under a five-year restraining order banning contact with his ex-partner.
