Jason Sharp, 35, was handed a community order after stalking his ex-girlfriend, with his actions captured on her Ring doorbell.
Harassment over two months
Sharp had been in an on-off eight-month relationship with the woman, which ended in June last year. Over a two-month period, he repeatedly turned up outside her house in the early hours of the morning.
Manchester Crown Court heard he was caught on numerous occasions on the woman's Ring doorbell. Sharp also repeatedly called her phone before requesting she pick him up in Swinton.
Hostile behaviour and police involvement
As she did so, Sharp, who was wearing a dressing gown and sliders, became hostile and aggressive. The woman then took a detour to Swinton Police station, but within seconds of stopping the car, Sharp fled.
He was later picked up by police after the woman reported him. On Friday, July 24, Sharp was handed a community order having previously pleaded guilty to stalking.
Judge's remarks
Judge Paul Mason, sentencing, said that Sharp had served an equivalent of a 10-month jail term, due to being remanded into custody for around five months.
Prosecutor Gabrielle Harrison said: "During October and November last year, the defendant began to loiter around her home address, and near the bushes at her house. Ring doorbell footage shows him outside her property at 2am on October 23, repeatedly ringing the doorbell and asking her to phone him a taxi because he wanted to go home."
She said Sharp called the woman multiple times per day, including using no caller ID. On November 14, as the woman was driving down Bolton Road in Swinton, she drove past Sharp. He then called her and asked her to pick him up and take him to Irlam.
"During the journey, he attempted to remove his tag, accused her of being unfaithful, and became paranoid, aggressive and hostile," Ms Harrison said. It was then the woman instead drove to a police station, before Sharp jumped out of the car and ran.
The court heard that she initially retracted her statement, but then said that Sharp had pressured her and she was in support of the complaint. Then in April, after meeting with her mentor, she decided she no longer supported the prosecution but confirmed everything in her statement was true, Ms Harrison said.
Defence and sentence
As Patrick Buckley, defending, began to mitigate, judge Mason said he was going to impose a community order. "He has served a considerable period in custody," Mr Buckley agreed. "I will not seek to address Your Honour further."
Addressing Sharp, the judge said: "Do not think for a moment that Mr Buckley has not mitigated on your behalf. He has done what anybody in his position can. She [the victim] has said she feels frightened because of what you have done. It has left her feeling depressed and suicidal, and feeling increasing anxiety."
He added that Sharp did accept responsibility and had expressed remorse, adding that alcohol influenced his behaviour.
Sharp, of Park Lane West, Swinton, was handed an 18 month community order, 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days, a Building Choices programme and an alcohol treatment programme. He must also pay a £250 fine and court costs.
