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Man jailed for breaching restraining order and subjecting former partner to campaign of intimidation (8 May 2015)

Date: 08/05/2015
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Man jailed for breaching restraining order and subjecting former partner to campaign of intimidation

A man has been jailed for breaching a restraining order, after he moved garden ornaments round his former partner’s garden at night and left bunches of roses on her car.

Kent online reports that Andrew Kelleher, 35, of Gordon Road in Dartford, Kent harassed his former partner for more than a year – and continued to do so after she obtained a restraining order against him in October 2014.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that earlier this year on 2 February at approximately 3.40pm, the woman had called Kent Police to report Kelleher was following her in his distinctive maroon car.

The woman was so distressed and intimidated by Kelleher’s actions that she drove straight to the police station to report the incident.

The court also heard that Kelleher had staged a campaign of intimidation and harassment against his former partner for more than a year. Kelleher had not only followed her – but had visited her house at night to move objects round the garden and leave roses on her car.

He had also persisted in trying to contact her family and friends – and had repeatedly posted pictures and cryptic messages on social media.

The jury was told that Kelleher had subjected his former partner to “a sustained campaign of fear and psychological violence” for more than a year.

After the incident in February, Kelleher was arrested, interviewed and charged the following day.

A jury at Maidstone Crown Court found him guilty of harassing his former partner and breaching a restraining order.

Kelleher was sentenced to a year and five months in prison.

After the hearing, Detective Constable James Chichester said:
“Kelleher refused to acknowledge the effect his behaviour had on the victim.

“He repeatedly contacted, intimidated and harassed his ex-partner – and forced her to relive the ordeal by refusing to take any responsibility for his actions and putting her through a lengthy court case.

“The victim has acted with dignity and strength throughout this investigation – and I only hope this outcome will allow her to live her life without feeling as though she has to spend every minute looking over her shoulder.

“Kent Police views domestic violence and harassment as extremely serious offences – and Kelleher now has time to reflect upon the impact of his actions.”

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