Doncaster stalker threatened with jail if he continues plaguing ex-partner and family

Sheffield Crown Court heard on January 5 how James Westrop, aged 21, of Bracken Way, Harworth, Doncaster, admitted two counts of stalking, damaging a car, and harrasment from between January to May, last year.

Recorder Anthony Hawks told Westrop: “You conducted a campaign of outrageous behaviour towards your former partner, her mother and her auntie.”

Amy Earnshaw, prosecuting, said Westrop phoned his ex-partner after they had separated and he turned up at her auntie’s home in March demanding money from his ex-partner and he was offensive and made threats to stab family members and burn down a house.

The following day, Westrop drove closely behind his ex-partner revving his engine and as she stopped he banged into her bumper before turning and spitting on her driver’s side window, accrding to Ms Earnshaw.

Ms Earnshaw added Westrop turned up at the home of his ex-partner’s mother on March 8 and he kicked her car causing damage and his ex-partner received threatening messages and Westrop turned up at her work car park and insulted her.

Westrop also followed his ex-partner in April while she was driving, according to Ms Earnshaw, and he said he had a machete in his car and he repeatedly phoned her and there were further phone calls in May.

The defendant pleaded guilty to stalking his ex-partner, her mother and auntie from January to March, 2020, and to damaging a vehicle in March, 2020, and to stalking his ex-partner in April, 2020, and to harassment in May, 2020.

Matthew Burdon, defending, said Westrop did not realise the effect he was having upon his ex-partner and his probation report stated he is immature and failed to regulate his behaviour.

Recorder Hawks told Westrop: “It’s very serious behaviour and if you ever do anything like this again you are going to go to prison for a long time.”

Westrop was sentenced to 21 months of custody suspended for two years with 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also given a five-year restraining order.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to The Star website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Visit https://www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Thank you

Nancy Fielder, editor