LEEDS STALKER SENT BACK TO JAIL OVER FACEBOOK THREATS TO HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND ON THE DAY HE WAS RELEASED FROM PRISON
Steven Austin has been sent back to prison after a court heard that he remains fixated on his former partner and, according to his own barrister, “cannot help himself”.Austin received a ten-month custodial sentence after admitting to breaching a restraining order.
Leeds Crown Court was told this is the seventh time in two years he has been convicted of similar behaviour towards the same woman.
Prosecutor Heather Gilmore told the court that Austin had been released from prison on 10 February this year, following a 54-week sentence for harassment.
Mere hours after his release, he commented on a Facebook photo of the victim posted by her brother with the words: “Tell her she’s a c***.” The following day, he sent a Facebook friend request to the woman’s mother.
He also posted a message on his own profile reading: “Whatever happens, no one f**** me over,” which the complainant interpreted as being directed at her.
The harassment escalated when Austin used a fake profile to send the woman a friend request.
On 15 and 16 February, he attempted to call her and sent seven emails.
Miss Gilmore said the woman did not submit a formal victim impact statement but relayed through police that she continued to feel “afraid, scared and worried” due to Austin’s actions.
She also expressed a belief that imprisonment had not helped him, and that he required mental health support.
The court heard that Austin and the woman had been in a relationship for five years, which ended in August 2018.
Although the relationship was generally stable, issues arose when Austin had been drinking.
Following the break-up, the woman obtained a non-molestation order preventing Austin from contacting her or approaching her residence in Lofthouse.
Austin’s previous convictions date back to October 2018 and include three harassment offences, a stalking charge, and a breach of the non-molestation order.
Details of his past conduct were outlined to the court.
In late 2018, he sent the woman repeated social media messages and phone calls, continuing even after she blocked his number.
He showed up at her home while intoxicated and shouted through her letterbox.
In early 2019, he sent between 150 and 200 emails, left voicemails saying he was in her garden, and issued threats towards her and those around her.
In one message, he made it clear he was indifferent to police involvement.
In July last year, he sent 110 emails and made 20 phone calls.
Among his messages, he wrote: “I’m probably the most hated person in the world.” In another, he said: “I told you it won’t stop until we are alright.” Representing Austin, barrister Rukhshanda Hussain said her client accepted responsibility for frightening the complainant.
“He clearly cannot help himself,” she told the court.
“He is learning the hard way.
His record provides no mitigation and only worsens the seriousness of the offence.” Ms Hussain said Austin’s repeated offending stemmed from his inability to move on from the relationship.
“He admits he is still obsessed with her and that he remains in love with her.
He now accepts he may be struggling with mental health issues and recognises the need to seek help.” Judge Simon Phillips KC (formerly QC) told Austin that prison was the only appropriate outcome.
“The courts have tried various approaches with you,” he said.
“You’ve been given chances, but unfortunately, you’ve continued offending against your former partner.” He added: “She has made it clear that your actions have left her afraid, scared, and worried.
Not only have you been damaging her life you’ve been destroying your own.
I have no choice but to impose an immediate custodial sentence.”
