SIMON BOURDON FROM WOOLVERSTONE SENTENCED FOR DANGEROUS STALKING IN IPSWICH

In a case that has drawn significant attention from law enforcement and the local community, Simon Bourdon, a resident of Woolverstone, was subjected to a lengthy and rigorous legal process following his conviction for a series of disturbing and persistent acts of harassment against a woman in her 30s. The incident, which took place in Suffolk, culminated in Bourdon receiving a six-year prison sentence at Ipswich Crown Court in March of the previous year, with an extended license period attached to his term.

Back in November 2019, Bourdon was formally charged with multiple serious offences, including stalking the woman, six counts of breaching a restraining order, and three counts of disclosing private images without her consent. The charges stemmed from a pattern of invasive and threatening behavior that had persisted over a period of time. In December 2019, Bourdon pleaded guilty to the charges, admitting to stalking, four breaches of the restraining order, and one count of sharing private images without permission.

The court proceedings revealed that Bourdon had engaged in relentless attempts to contact the victim through various means, including phone calls, postal mail, emails, and social media platforms. His actions extended beyond mere communication; he sent her unwanted gifts and even went as far as applying for a credit card in her name, an act that demonstrated a clear intent to cause her financial harm or distress. Further complicating the case, Bourdon orchestrated contact between the woman and an unknown man, with the apparent aim of arranging a sexual encounter.

Adding to the severity of his misconduct, Bourdon posted explicit images—taken without the woman’s knowledge—on a dating website and an Instagram account, further violating her privacy and dignity. These actions were part of a long history of harassment, as Bourdon had previously been subject to a restraining order following an earlier conviction for harassment against the same woman. His criminal record also includes convictions for harassment of a former partner in 2004, 2012, and 2014, illustrating a pattern of abusive behavior over many years.

At the time of his latest sentencing, Bourdon was 59 years old. He challenged the length of his sentence by appealing to the Court of Appeal, arguing that he should have received a greater reduction for his guilty plea. During the legal proceedings, it was noted that Bourdon initially denied all allegations when arrested and during police interviews. Despite this, he resumed his stalking activities while released under investigation, demonstrating a continued pattern of offending. His re-arrest in July 2019 was followed by further denials, but he was eventually re-arrested in November 2019, after which he was convicted.

In court, Bourdon’s initial appearance saw him either deny the charges or remain silent. However, he ultimately pleaded guilty at Ipswich Crown Court, where Judge David Pugh awarded him a 25% credit for his early guilty plea. The judge explained that, under sentencing guidelines, a guilty plea at the earliest stage could warrant a reduction of up to one-third of the sentence, but in this case, the reduction was set at 25%.

Furthermore, Judge Pugh classified Bourdon as a dangerous offender, leading to the imposition of an extended determinate sentence. This designation was based on the court’s assessment of the risk Bourdon posed to the public. Bourdon’s legal team, represented by Peter Spary at the Court of Appeal, argued that the sentence should have been reduced further—by approximately 33%—due to the early indication of his intention to plead guilty. They also challenged the finding of dangerousness, citing a psychiatric report that detailed Bourdon’s history of PTSD, treatment for depression, and alcohol problems. The report suggested that with appropriate therapy and support, the risk he posed could be significantly diminished.

However, the Court of Appeal dismissed these arguments, affirming that Judge Pugh was justified in his decision to find Bourdon dangerous and that his mental health issues did not mitigate his culpability. The ruling underscored the seriousness of Bourdon’s actions and the court’s commitment to protecting victims from individuals with a history of such conduct, especially in cases involving persistent harassment and violation of privacy in Woolverstone and the wider Suffolk area.