A fixated stalker who refused to accept the end of his 36-year relationship broke down in tears in the dock as he was sentenced to prison.
Michael Wilkinson, 55, threatened to murder a man who had been spending time with his former partner and persistently sent song lyrics to his victim. The Hartlepool father also concealed a tracking device beneath the wheel arch of his former mother-in-law's car.
The Incident at Hardwick Hall
Wilkinson arrived at Hardwick Hall in June, where he spotted his ex-partner in the company of a male acquaintance. As the woman sat in her car preparing to leave, Teesside Crown Court was told that Wilkinson "drove towards his victim at speed."
Having blocked his ex-partner in, he grabbed her by the wrist and snatched her keys from the ignition. Wilkinson shouted: "I'm going to kill him! Are you sleeping with him?" He then demanded of his victim: "Why are you doing this to me? I love you."
When the woman contacted the police, he hurled her car keys back at her. Wilkinson then followed his ex-partner, sounding his horn repeatedly, before cutting in front of her vehicle. The victim pulled into a service station and rang her family for assistance, prosecutor Imogen Eastham-Brown told the court.
Pattern of Controlling Behaviour
On Wednesday, the court heard that the former couple's relationship had ended in April 2025. "The victim describes Wilkinson as controlling - particularly over money - and he repeatedly accused her of being unfaithful", Ms Eastham-Brown said.
For nearly 12 months, Wilkinson persisted in contacting his ex-partner, sending her song lyrics and quotations via text. The victim grew worried that her former boyfriend was "tracking her", and Ms Eastham-Brown informed the court that her children had reported "seeing a tracking app" on Wilkinson's phone. A tracking device was subsequently discovered concealed in the victim's mother's vehicle.
Wilkinson was arrested and placed under a domestic abuse protection order (DAPO) on 6th July, following incidents where he repeatedly circled a car park at his victim's workplace. However, just days afterwards, he wrote on social media, alleging his former partner had engaged in an affair, Ms Eastham-Brown continued. Wilkinson wrote: "Wherever you run, I'll be on your trail. Whatever you hide behind your veil, I will find."
Victim's Statement and Sentencing
A statement written by the victim was read out in court. She said: "Michael has spread fear throughout our family - it has had a ripple effect." The woman described being terrified, explaining that after discovering the tracker, she said, "I am no longer just worrying about my own safety but now my family's. I want the fear and control to stop. I want to feel safe."
Wilkinson wept as he appeared via video link from Holme House prison. He admitted guilt to stalking involving serious alarm or distress, assault, and breaching a DAPO.
In mitigation, John Nixon stated that his client acknowledges the relationship has ended. "The breakdown of the relationship came as a great shock to him. He tells me he realises that he's never going to be allowed to see her again." Wilkinson struggles with "poor mental health and poor physical health - he's on 17 medications a day" Mr Nixon informed the court, noting that this would make a custodial sentence more difficult for him to endure.
Having reviewed a pre-sentence report on Wilkinson, compiled by the probation service, Judge Amanda Rippon remarked: "I've seldom read a report that caused me so much anxiety and concern about the safety of a person."
The judge sentenced Wilkinson, of Broomhill Gardens in Hartlepool, to an extended prison term totalling seven years. This consists of four years behind bars, followed by three years on licence upon his release. He must complete two-thirds of his custodial sentence before the parole board can assess whether it is safe to free him. A restraining order was also imposed, permanently prohibiting Wilkinson from making any contact with his victim.
