Peterborough man jailed for harassing his ex partner
A court heard the 29-year-old threatened to smash the victim's windows and doors last year
A man from Peterborough who harassed and assaulted his former partner has been jailed for more than two years.
Ryan MacDonald, 29, of Fen View, Stanground, threatened to smash the victim’s windows and doors on 21 March last year.
The victim reported the incident to police but withdrew her complaint two days later because she felt she and MacDonald, with whom she has a child, were getting on better.
However, three months later, MacDonald began messaging her while she was at work, telling her he was outside her home.
Despite being told to leave her alone, he was waiting nearby when she finished work.
Out of fear, the victim went with MacDonald to a park, where an argument took place.
A few days later, while the victim was collecting her child from school, MacDonald appeared and began shouting at her before grabbing her phone and throwing it at her face, injuring her lip and chin.
MacDonald then followed the victim over the course of about a week and bombarded her with calls, text messages and unannounced visits, which led to his arrest.
While on bail, MacDonald made several calls to the victim in an attempt to persuade her to withdraw the charges, resulting in him being arrested again.
On Wednesday, 29 April, at Huntingdon Law Courts, MacDonald was sentenced to two years and four months in prison after pleading guilty to harassment involving fear of violence, actual bodily harm (ABH), and intimidating a witness or juror.
Counts of stalking involving fear of violence, threats to damage or destroy property, threats to kill, and two counts of assault by beating were ordered to lie on file.
DC Isabelle Wilding, who investigated, said: “MacDonald’s behaviour was persistent, intimidating and left the victim living in fear.
“This sentence reflects the seriousness of his actions and sends a clear message that harassment and abuse will not be tolerated.
“We take reports of stalking and harassment extremely seriously and would encourage anyone experiencing similar behaviour to come forward and seek support.”