DEWSBURY MAN WHO STALKED EX AND MAN SHE HAD NEVER MET JAILED
A business owner involved in stalking his ex-partner, her mother, and a man he wrongly believed she was dating has been sentenced to prison.Samuel Hunter, aged 33, from Boothroyd Lane, Dewsbury, owns a quarry and pleaded guilty to charges of harassment and stalking.
He targeted both his former partner and a man she had never met, along with her mother.
The Leeds Crown Court was informed that the harassment began after Hunter’s relationship with the woman ended last year, following an altercation where he attempted to seize her phone.
Prosecutor Graham O'Sullivan explained that Hunter mistakenly believed she had become involved with another man after their breakup.
According to the prosecution, Hunter was monitoring her movements, believing she was at her friend’s house based on Google Earth or similar tools.
He thought she was in a relationship with the man she was seen visiting.
Hunter repeatedly contacted the man through a fake social media account, threatening to send his associates to his residence and revealing he knew his address and his parents' location.
At one point, while the man was at the gym, Hunter sent a Facebook message saying, “Hope you're having a good gym session,” and later made seven missed calls on his work phone.
He also questioned the man about his ex-partner, even sending voice notes, a screenshot of her car’s tracking data, and a zoomed-in photo of her WhatsApp account.
During this period, the man was worried for his girlfriend’s safety, knowing her address and having her phone number.
Hunter also sent images from locations where his ex-partner had appointments, and falsely claimed she was away for the weekend when she was not.
The police discovered a tracking device on her mother’s car, and Hunter texted from a withheld number, stating, “Your daughter is in danger.” The court was informed that Hunter’s ex-partner’s mother received three visits from men claiming to be working on his behalf.
In her victim impact statement, she reported feeling embarrassed and fearful about the ongoing harassment.
The woman recounted the distress caused, noting she had to change jobs and social interactions.
She expressed fears about future repercussions, feeling that Hunter’s knowledge of her personal life and whereabouts was relentless and delusional.
Her mother also stated she now felt constantly watched.
The man targeted by Hunter described experiencing anxiety, losing contact with friends and family, and avoiding local activities due to fear of further harassment.
Hunter faced additional charges for assault and criminal damage, including an incident at a quarry in Holmfirth.
Evidence showed he attacked a man taking photographs near his quarry, pushing and kicking him, causing injuries to his lip and requiring his dogs to be unleashed on the victim.
The attacker told the dogs to go after the man, who was bitten on his hands and neck during the attack.
Defense lawyer Anastasis Tasou described Hunter’s business as highly successful with a £20 million turnover, and explained that Hunter was engaged to the woman, whom he idolized.
Mr Tasou noted that Hunter and the woman had children and planned to marry, but their plans were disrupted by what he called circumstantial evidence, such as tracking company vehicles and observing her with other men.
He emphasised that Hunter was driven by suspicion, believing his relationship was falling apart and desperately seeking reasons for his suspicion.
Judge McKone sentenced Hunter to five years and two months in prison.
Detective Inspector Ben Beck from the Kirklees District Safeguarding Unit commented that stalking is a damaging crime, highlighting Hunter’s obsession with control and the bravery of the victims who reported him.
