Stalker told woman ‘you’ll die’ during campaign of harassment and threats

The convicted stalker repeatedly called his ex-partner

A fixated ex-partner who subjected his victim to a campaign of harassment has been sent to prison. Ashley Smith, 38, was given a restraining order on May 5 this year after being convicted of stalking his ex-partner.

However, the victim woke up one morning, less than a month later, to find several missed calls from a withheld number, which she suspected was Smith. Later that day, Smith called again before contacting the victim’s friend, who recorded the call.

Smith, of Eastleigh Road, Eastfield, Peterborough, was heard asking where the victim was and whether she was with another man and stated that if she had a boyfriend, he would kill him.

During that afternoon, the 38-year-old made a further 22 calls, all of which the victim ignored. Smith continued to contact the victim from a withheld number the following month and eventually she answered one of the calls and heard Smith making threats to go to her home and demanding to know who she was with.

He said she had ruined his life and threatened that she “wasn’t going to get away with it”. The following day, Smith made another call, in which he said, “you’re dead tomorrow, you’ll die. I swear on my mother’s life you’re dead.”

Officers arrested Smith at Stansted Airport on June 18. On Thursday, August 20, Smith was sentenced to two years in prison after admitting three counts of harassment in breach of a restraining order at Cambridge Crown Court.

Detective Constable Kyle Miskin, who investigated, said: “Smith’s behaviour left the victim living in fear and constantly looking over her shoulder. Despite being made subject to a restraining order, he repeatedly ignored the conditions and continued to contact and threaten her.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe following the end of a relationship. Stalking, harassment and controlling behaviour can have a devastating impact on victims, and we will always take reports seriously and do everything we can to protect those affected. I hope this sentence provides the victim with some reassurance and allows her to move forward with her life.”