Anthony O'Keeffe, 50, of Llanharan, was sentenced to two years and ten months in prison at Cardiff Crown Court after pleading guilty to stalking. The court heard how his 'sinister' behaviour drove his victim to attempt suicide.
How the Stalking Began
O'Keeffe was introduced to the woman through a mutual friend and was 'especially nice to her' following the breakdown of a relationship. Despite never having a relationship, the victim clearly told him they would not become a couple. However, O'Keeffe became 'ever-present' in her life, inviting himself on a trip to Porthcawl with her and her children.
During the trip, he acted inappropriately by trying to cuddle her, putting his arm around her waist, and attempting to kiss her. After the holiday, she tried to end all contact, but he refused to listen.
Escalating Harassment
Prosecutor Jac Brown detailed how O'Keeffe parked his campervan opposite her garden, shouting at her or staring at her and her house. This occurred three or four times a day, during which he would drive down the street sounding his horn. The victim was forced to change her routine to avoid him.
The behaviour escalated after O'Keeffe became involved in a fight with the victim's new partner at a pub. He would turn up at her home at night and throw stones at her daughter's window.
The Final Threat
On July 18 last year, the victim was home alone. As she walked to her car, she heard O'Keeffe whistling. He appeared behind her and said: 'I wouldn't go to sleep tonight – there isn't anyone to protect you.' He stood behind her, staring and smirking, as she tried to get into her car. She shouted at him to leave, but he did not move.
The next day, she heard dogs barking and saw a shadow she recognised as O'Keeffe. When she entered her house, she heard the front door handle being rattled and contacted the police.
Victim's Statement and Previous Conviction
In a victim personal statement read to the court, the woman said: 'During the time O'Keeffe was harassing and stalking myself and my children my mental health was in a fragile state and I was suffering with panic attacks. I had severe anxiety which required medication and I had frequent doctors and hospital admissions for high blood pressure. Due to his behaviour I became a nervous wreck. He would walk back and forth and watch me for hours. I attempted suicide and had to be resuscitated.'
The court also heard that O'Keeffe had a previous conviction for stalking, after he drove up and down his ex-partner's street and knocked on her door.
Mitigation and Sentencing
In mitigation, Andrew Kendall said his client had been attacked by the victim and her partner in May 2025. He said O'Keeffe was 'kicked out of the family home' and split from his wife of 23 years, with whom he had three children. The barrister said the defendant took that 'extremely hard' and began using alcohol and controlled drugs, leading to him losing his job.
Sentencing, Judge Shomon Khan said the defendant's behaviour was 'sinister'. O'Keeffe was jailed for two years and 10 months.
