A YOUNG father from Andover who continuously harassed his ex-girlfriend and her family has been jailed for 16 months.

Leon Fitzpatrick, of no fixed abode, appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Friday, August 12 to be sentenced for seven offences, including three breaches of a non-molestation order, assault of emergency an worker, resisting arrest, violent behaviour, and harassment. 

Richard Wayman, prosecuting, told the court how Fitzpatrick was in a seven-month relationship with a woman in Andover. They separated in May 2021, and the woman was pregnant with their child at the time. 

On July 28, 2021, just days after the victim had sought a non-molestation order, the 19-year-old breached it by calling her several times from a no-caller-ID, and then being verbally abusive when she answered. 

Then, on September 11, Fitzpatrick posted “an angry letter” through the door of the victim’s mother’s house, with “b*tch” scrawled upon it. 

The next day, he resisted police, running away and threatening them. He spat at one officer.

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Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to all four offences in January but, in May, his ex-girlfriend reported further harassment.

Mr Wayman told the court how he sent her several messages from “anonymous Snapchat accounts”. 

He continued: “They made various threats towards her, and to members of her family, and sent pictures suggesting that he was in the vicinity.”

While being detained, Fitzpatrick attempted to throw a cup of urine at officers. 

In a statement read in court, the victim said: “Leon’s behaviour has given me a fear of going out. I am worried 24/7 that he is going to do something else to me or my family. 

“I used to enjoy using social media, but I have had to remove myself because of him. I will not take my baby out for a walk on my own because he has threatened to take him from me, and I am worried that he will try.

“I am so fed up and it needs to stop. It’s getting worse and worse and I am worried about what he is going to do next.”

In mitigation, Dana Bilan, defending, told the court that Fitzpatrick was appearing at crown court for the first time.

She continued: “He understands that things have to change. He has pleaded guilty, having accepted full responsibility.”

Ms Bilan added that, while her client “enjoys a very good relationship with his parents”, he suffers from PTSD resulting from “childhood trauma”. 

He has also been diagnosed with ADHD, autism and “significant mental health problems”, and “lashed out” by stopping taking his medication at the age of 15.

Ms Bilan said: “He understands he will have to deal with it in a different way if he wants to have a future in his son’s life, which is the priority for him today.”

However, she said that, since being in custody, Fitzpatrick has “shown he is capable of rehabilitation”, by securing qualifications in Maths and English. 

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Judge Jane Catherine England sentenced Fitzpatrick to a total of 16 months for all seven offences.

She said: “You behaved in a most appalling way. You were released from custody, but continued to harass [the victim]. You didn’t learn your lesson. It is clear that she is at her wits end. 

“It is her choice if she wishes to be in a relationship with you. You need to be clear on that. You just need to leave her alone.”

Judge England added: “I hope you can start to get the help that you need, and that you reach out for that help when you are released.”

The judge also put a five-year restraining order in place, which prohibits Fitzpatrick from contacting his ex-girlfriend or entering the areas where she lives and works.