MAN JAILED FOR STALKING EX-GIRLFRIENDS
A man described as a 'dangerous individual' who pursued and subjected three former partners in Essex to stalking and harassment has received a 12-year prison sentence.Robert Preece, aged 40, residing on Palmerston Road in Westcliff-on-Sea, engaged in criminal activities including intercepting mail, breaking into homes, and causing harm, notably leaving one victim with a fractured cheekbone, as detailed by Chelmsford Crown Court.
In addition to the prison term, he was granted lifelong restraining orders to prevent any future contact with the victims.
Detective Sergeant Gavin Tuck from Essex Police expressed the hope that the punitive measures would bring the victims some sense of closure and justice.
Preece was found guilty on April 10th of multiple charges, including stalking, robbery, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, burglary, and criminal damage.
According to police reports, in June 2017, Preece assaulted a former girlfriend by punching her while she was waiting in a car near shops in Melbourne, Chelmsford, resulting in a fracture to her right cheekbone.
Following this assault, he fled to London, but in February 2018, he began a relationship with another woman in Essex.
Within just three months, Preece commenced a pattern of stalking and harassment, which involved intercepting mail, tampering with locks, and canceling her bank cards.
He was later apprehended in October 2018 after smashing the window of a third victim's car during an argument and breaking into her home, where he assaulted her.
Det Sgt Tuck, of the Chelmsford Domestic Abuse Investigation Team, said: Preece had "lived a lie.
Today a dangerous individual has been jailed for inflicting physical and psychological abuse to women who once welcomed him into their lives," he said.
