A man who stalked his ex-girlfriend over the course of two months has avoided a prison sentence.
Daniel Hardwick, 33, appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court this morning (3 October) to be sentenced for stalking the woman between 26 June and 1 September this year.
The defendant, of College Road, Trowbridge, continually harassed the woman. Despite being blocked, he bombarded her with 40 emails, 30 phone calls and numerous voicemails.
Keith Ballinger, prosecuting, said Hardwick also approached her in the street outside her children’s school – begging her to restart the relationship.
Following that incident, on 2 July, he visited the victim’s sister’s horse yard and begged for her to get back together with him, before eventually driving off.
On 8 July, he left flowers and chocolates on her doorstep. On another occassion, he shouted at her windows.
On 9 July, he used a ladder to access her upstairs bedroom. The victim woke to noises and saw his face in the window – where he proceeded to ask for her to take him back.
District Judge Joanna Dickens said: “I accept it started out as you just wanted her back, it’s not stalking really, it’s the end of a relationship.
“But it’s tipped over into the criminal world, and you scared her… you didn’t give up, and that’s why it’s serious.”
He was handed a 12-month community order with the requirement to undertake the Building Better Relationships programme, 10 rehabiliation days and 40 hours of unpaid work.
A 12-month restraining order was also imposed, along with a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.
