Man jailed for four years for stalking ex-partner

Michael Hampton continued to contact his former partner by phone and turned up at her home following their break-up

A man has been sentenced to four years in prison after he stalked a former partner.

Michael Hampton, 32, of Doulton Close, Harlow, Essex, had admitted to one count of stalking involving serious alarm and another of assault by beating.

Hertfordshire Police said between July 2023 and January 2024 he had spied on his former partner who was living in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, more than 600 times, by planting a listening device in her home and wiring a tracker into the fuse box of her car.

On 17 July 2023 Hampton followed the woman in his car and as she tried to escape from him, he grabbed her and pushed her.

'Obsessive behaviour'

During his sentencing at Peterborough Crown Court he was also given an indefinite restraining order.

Det Insp Samantha Alcock, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s domestic abuse investigation support unit, said: “I am pleased that Michael Hampton has received a substantial prison sentence for his crimes.

“His obsessive behaviour caused the victim to live in fear, and this has understandably had a detrimental and psychological impact on her. I hope she will be able to start rebuilding her life now that Hampton is behind bars."