Controlling Leeds man who harassed his ex partner is jailed

A Leeds man previously convicted of controlling and coercive behaviour in relation to his ex-partner repeatedly ignored a court order banning him from contacting her, a court heard.
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Rici Jowett, of Lincombe Drive, Roundhay followed the woman around a supermarket and turned up at her home on a number of occasions, Leeds Crown Court was told.

Jowett, 31, admitted eight charges of harassment committed in November 2020.

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Katherine White, prosecuting, said a restraining order banning Jowett from contacting his former partner was imposed at Leeds Crown Court in October 2018.

Rici JowettRici Jowett
Rici Jowett

The order was imposed after Jowett was convicted of offences including controlling and coercive behaviour, criminal damage and breach of a non molestation order made in March 2017.

Miss White said in early 2018 they attempted to rekindle their relationship, but in April 2018 Jowett threatened to cut his ex partner's face and slashed the tyres on her car.

Mis White said Jowett and the woman had started seeing each other again in May 2018, but that ended again when he acted in a controlling manner.

The court heard Jowett and the woman have a child together.

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Miss White said the woman described her relationship with Jowett as "toxic."

Miss White said the woman was in her car in the car park outside Aldi in Seacroft just after 9am on November 5 2020 when Jowett approached the driver's side window.

She went into the store and Jowett followed her around for around five minutes.

Miss White said after the woman went home Jowett turned up at her house at around 1pm that day and stayed for around 30 minutes.

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Jowett brought flowers and chocolates for her the following day and she felt obliged to allow him in the house.

On November 12, he went to her home and asked her to have the restraining order removed.

There was an argument and she asked him to leave and he started kicking a door at the house.

Miss White said on January 26, police spotted a white Peugeot van with false number plates in the Chapel Allerton area of Leeds.

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Jowett was one of two men in the back of the van, which belonged to him.

Police also found a machete, axe, Stanley knife, screwdriver and mole grips in the van.

Jowett admitted three charges of possessing an offensive weapon, using false registration plates on his van and going equipped for theft.

Mark Foley, mitigating, said: "He has recognised that the breaches should properly end and have ended."

Recorder Mark McKone jailed Jowett for three years and two months.