A former British Army colonel has been slapped with a five-year restraining order after relentlessly stalking his ex-partner, even going so far as to plant a tracking device on her car.
The 56-year-old ex-serviceman, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, was found guilty of a sustained campaign of harassment that left his victim fearing for her safety. The court heard how he used military-grade surveillance tactics to monitor her movements.
Military Tactics Turned Against Civilian
Prosecutors revealed that the disgraced officer had attached a covert GPS tracker to his ex-partner’s vehicle, allowing him to monitor her every move. The victim, described as "terrified" by the ordeal, only discovered the device after becoming suspicious of his obsessive behaviour.
"This was a gross abuse of trust and a clear misuse of skills that should have been used to protect, not intimidate," the judge remarked during sentencing.
Restraining Order Imposed
The court imposed a strict five-year restraining order, banning the former colonel from contacting his victim or coming within 500 metres of her home or workplace. He was also ordered to attend a behavioural change programme.
Legal experts have highlighted the case as a stark reminder of how stalking can escalate, particularly when the perpetrator has specialised training. "This case demonstrates the terrifying potential for abuse when surveillance expertise falls into the wrong hands," said a spokesperson for a domestic violence charity.
The victim, who has chosen to remain anonymous, is now receiving support to rebuild her life following the traumatic experience.
