Former East Midlands Ambulance Technician Convicted of Stalking

A former East Midlands Ambulance Technician has been convicted of stalking his ex-girlfriend for more than six months.

Michael Brookes, 31, of Coronation Street, Swadlincote, admitted a charge of stalking when he appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court earlier this week.

Stalking is an offence under section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. It has a maximum penalty of 26 weeks' custody on summary conviction. The legislation describes the elements of the offence and gives some examples of conduct that might amount to stalking, although it is ultimately a decision for the court.

Magistrates heard that Brookes, who recently won an award for his work with East Midlands Ambulance Service, broke up with his girlfriend in February 2019.

Unable to let go, he tormented her for months by sending her unwanted emails, visiting her property, damaging her possessions and making unfounded accusations against her.

Prosecutor Sarah Sanderson said Brookes used Tuff Cut scissors to destroy numerous items of his ex-girlfriend's clothing, including three pairs of Kurt Geiger shoes, gym trousers and her work clothing.

Ms Sanderson said: "(The ex-girlfriend) had to take out a loan from her employers to replace items so she could be dress suitably for work.

"He also removed the tops of her perfume bottles so she could no longer use them."

Brookes also:

• Used a pole to disconnect the wiring of a security camera in the victim's back garden;
• Sent an email blaming her for losing his job and demanded that she return his property;
• Went on to declare his love in other emails, saying "I will wait for you until this is over";
• Left a note on the victim's car and sent unwelcome messages over social media;
• Contacted his ex-girlfriend's manager and accused the two of them of having an affair.

In a victim impact statement, Brookes' former girlfriend said: "I am constantly on edge waiting for the next message. I've made it clear I want nothing more to do with him, but he disregards everything I've said.

"He has been told not to have contact with me, I don't know what I can do to make him leave me alone and get on with my life."

Alice Hornsby, mitigating, told the court Brookes had been "in a very poor state of mind" and had attempted to take his own life. He had ambitions of becoming a fully trained paramedic, but his conviction means those are in tatters. He now hopes to put the whole affair behind him and relocate to Staffordshire where his family is based.

Ms Hornsby said: "It is behaviour he deeply regrets. He is deeply sorry on reflection.

"His head was in rather a mess, but he is not seeking to make excuses."

Brookes was sentenced to an 18-month community order, with a maximum of 30 days rehabilitation activity requirement.

He was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation, £300 towards prosecution costs and £85 victim surcharge.

Magistrates also imposed a restraining order preventing Brookes from contacting his former girlfriend.

Barbara Richardson, Presiding Justice, said: "We do find that it was planned and we do find that it was intentional and that there was a significant amount of damage caused.

"It was aggravated by the fact that the offence continued over a sustained period of time."

Reading the details of this offence as reported, Brookes has conducted a particularly distasteful and protracted campaign against his victim. Many similar offences would attract an immediate custodial sentence, but Brookes' apparent remorse, previous good character and work with East Midlands Ambulance Service has saved him from custody.

Here is a man whose conduct has lost him his career and alienated him from friends and colleagues alike. He will live with the shame and consequences for years to come, so what more would it achieve to put him behind bars?