Man jailed for stalking, battery and criminal damage

A 37-year-old man has been jailed for a series of offences against a woman from Mid Suffolk.

Sean Murphy, (pictured above) of Langston Hughes Close, in south east London, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday, January 8, where he was sentenced to a total of 65 weeks’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to the charges of:

• Stalking involving fear of violence, for which he was given a sentence of 58 weeks’ imprisonment; and
• Battery, for which he was handed an additional seven weeks’ imprisonment, to be served consecutively.

Murphy also pleaded guilty to the charge of criminal damage, for which he was handed a two-week custodial sentence, to be served concurrently to the above.

Murphy had initially denied the charges, before changing his plea and was also made subject of a five-year restraining order and ordered to pay a £187 victim surcharge.

In the victim’s personal statement, which was read out in court, the victim said: “I often cry when I think about what Sean has put me though … I regularly suffer from nightmares … I am scared that I will never be able to trust anyone again.”

Following the sentencing, investigating officer PC Amy Hart said: “Murphy is a manipulative and dangerous man, who subjected his victim to a campaign of relentless intimidation and physical abuse.

“He would go through her phone call history and forced the victim to add him to her Ring Doorbell account so he could monitor her movements and connections.

“He would harass her with persistent phone calls, despite her blocking his number and made repeated threats to physically harm her.

“Stalking is a serious and distressing crime which can escalate into dangerous and destructive behaviour, and I would like to praise the courage of strength of the victim. I hope this sentence provides her with the chance to rebuild her life.

“Protecting victims and addressing this type of abuse remains a priority for Suffolk Constabulary and we urge anyone experiencing similar behaviour to come forward and report it.”