MAN SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS FOR STALKING, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND INTIMIDATION
A Northampton man aged 27 has received a seven-year prison sentence after being convicted of stalking, sexual assault, and threats.Luke Symmonds, of Mushroom Field Road, appeared at Northampton Crown Court on February 27, pleading guilty to the charges of stalking and witness intimidation, and being found guilty of sexual assault.
The court learned that Symmonds sent numerous intrusive and threatening messages to a woman, with over 100 messages sent in just one hour and approximately 7,500 contacts over three months.
Prosecutor Matthew Rowcliffe described how Symmonds forcibly entered the victim’s flat and grabbed her arm to stop her from contacting police.
Although she succeeded in calling for help and he was arrested, he later breached bail conditions not to contact her.
Later that month, police were contacted again when Symmonds threatened to forcibly enter her home and set it on fire.
Despite her pleas, police took two days to respond and three days before visiting her.
During this period, Symmonds tracked her to Lings Wood Nature Reserve, where he pushed her and subjected her to sexual assault.
The victim delayed reporting the assault due to a lack of confidence in police protection.
Judge Rebecca Crane commented that earlier intervention might have prevented the attack.
Following the incident, Symmonds continued to threaten her, warning her he would cause her harm if she withdrew her police statement.
Her distress increased her reluctance to leave home, trust others, or stay in her own residence, leading her to stay in hotels.
She also had to set her phone to airplane mode to block his communications, causing concern among her family and friends.
With 14 prior convictions including weapon possession, harassment, drug possession, and threats, Symmonds' criminal history is extensive.
Mitigating, Stephen Cooke explained that Symmonds had a difficult upbringing, including being in care, experiencing bullying, and suffering from depression and anxiety.
Judge Crane, sentencing, said: “The prosecution rightly described you as delusional, entitled, aggressive, controlling and obsessive.
You have minimised your actions and the impact of your actions.
She added: “There is a worrying pattern of offending as it involves abusive and controlling behaviour in other relationships.” Symmonds was sentenced to seven years in prison and placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.
A restraining order was imposed for seven years.
