JEALOUS TORQUAY MAN JAILED FOR TERRORISING EX
A jealous ex-boyfriend named Lee Ham from Torquay has been sentenced for a campaign of harassment against his former partner.Ham relentlessly pursued the woman, with incidents including turning up uninvited at her home, throwing pint glasses at her residence, storming inside, and even threatening a visiting carpenter.
At the peak of his actions, Ham was calling his victim 200 times daily and ignoring her pleas to leave her alone.
He pleaded guilty to criminal damage, harassment, and assault causing actual bodily harm (ABH) at Exeter Crown Court and received a sentence of 88 weeks in jail, roughly 20 months.
The court noted his blatant disregard for court orders, and a probation report highlighted his inability to control his emotions and the subsequent risk he posed to women he was involved with.
The harassment began in July of last year when Ham sent eight videos of himself walking to her address early morning hours, culminating in him smashing her front window.
He then engaged in threatening behavior, including sending abusive messages and threatening to throw acid in her face.
Further incidents involved him grabbing her arm when she attempted to escape after she reluctantly agreed to get into a vehicle with him, and on another occasion, he was found in her garden smashing a window.
Despite a court order to cease contact, Ham continued to threaten her, including threats to burn her house and harm her family.
The victim described feeling worn down, lacking self-esteem, and unsafe due to his constant threats.
Ham, who has prior convictions for violence, explained that he was in love with the woman and struggled to cope with the end of their relationship, leading to binge drinking and a desire for emotional help.
Recorder Jaron Crooknorth imposed a seven-year restraining order, and Ham is to serve half of his sentence in custody.
