Stalker from Meanwood who threatened to kill ex-partner is jailed at Leeds Crown Court

A stalker went to his ex-partner's home in Leeds and pinned her down on her bed before threatening to kill her, a court heard.

Anthony Jeffries bombarded the woman with telephone calls, emails and text messages, Leeds Crown Court heard.

Jeffries, of Stonegate Place, Meanwood, stalked the woman in Leeds between February 24 and April 15 this year.

Gareth Henderson-Moore, prosecuting, said the woman received a number of emails on February 24, adding: "In one, the defendant threatened to stab her and make sure that he killed her."

On March 10 Jeffries, 44, used his car to block the woman's path by driving in front of her car.

The following day he pulled up next to her at traffic lights in his car and tried to talk to her as she drove to work.

On April 15 the woman was at home when she heard noises outside and opened the door.

Jeffries was outside and immediately walked in and followed her as she retreated into a bedroom.

Mr Henderson-Moore said Jeffries pinned the woman down on her bed and told her: "I'm going to kill you, I'm totally going to kill you."

Jeffries admitted stalking.

The couple had been in a relationship for eight years before it collapsed some years ago and a restraining order was taken out.

Derek Duffy, mitigating, said the couple reconciled and the restraining order was stopped, but the relationship broke down again in the summer of 2019.

Mr Duffy said: "His state of mind deteriorated very quickly following that breakdown and in July 2019 he separated from the complainant."

Mr Duffy said: "In January 2020 he was told the relationship was not going any further. He found it impossible to accept that.

"He attempted to kill himself shortly after. From that point he was referred to the mental health team."

"During the summer and autumn of 2019 he accepts he was drinking heavily and taking cocaine.

"He accepts between January and April he was in a very bad state of mind and had mental health difficulties."

The Recorder of Leeds Judge Guy Kearl QC, said in one five-day period Jeffries sent the woman 25 emails and made 74 phone calls to her.

Jailing Jeffries for 12 months, Judge Kearl told him: "You pushed her onto the bed and you held her down and told her you were going to kill her.

"As far as she was concerned that was the final straw. She telephoned the police when you left."

Jeffries was also made the subject of a five-year restraining order, banning him from contacting his victim.