A spurned lover who stalked his ex-partner and threatened to post sexual pictures of her online and posing as a police officer has been locked up.
Ross Lynch also bombarded his victim with vile and abusive voice messages making threats to her young child and its father, Teesside Crown Court heard.
The 31-year-old started his campaign of terror after his victim ended their two-year relationship while she was pregnant with their child.
Lynch would turn up at her house and refuse to leave as well as threatening the victim throughout December last year culminating with the threat to post intimate pictures and videos on Facebook on Boxing Day.
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The court heard how the man's abuse included branding the victim a "s***" and sent one message saying: "The clock is ticking; do you really want them putting on Facebook. I told you that you would suffer."
In one voicemail message the defendant pretended to be a police officer and told her to call him back while she was heavily pregnant at the time.
In a victim personal statement, the woman said: “I feel vulnerable when I go out and don’t feel safe when I go out on my own. He has put me in fear of my own safety.”
Lynch, of Clough Close, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to stalking between December 2, 2022, and April 2, this year, threatening to disclose private sexual images and sending malicious communications.
Michele Turner, mitigating, said: “He accepts that these offences clearly pass the custodial threshold and the only question is whether that sentence can be suspended. He has been on remand since April.”
The court heard the couple lost their child earlier this year.
Recorder Robert Ward sentenced Lynch to a total of two years and eight months for all offences.
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He said: “You sent WhatsApp voice messages making threats to her child and ex-partner. You entered her home and refused to leave.
“The stalking continued after your arrest in December 2022 and this is a breach of your bail conditions.
“In short, you made her life hell. She is still in fear and it has had a negative affect on her young child as well.”
Lynch was made subject to an indefinite restraining order to protect his victim.
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