Sinister stalker bugged his ex-girlfriend's car and turned up on her new boyfriend's doorstep

A sinister stalker who turned up on his ex girlfriend's new boyfriend's doorstep after he followed her using a secret tracker he had planted on hercar has been jailed.
Keith Martin. Picture: Northumbria Police.Keith Martin. Picture: Northumbria Police.
Keith Martin. Picture: Northumbria Police.

Keith Martin had monitored his former partner's movements using a covert device he had bought from the internet and attached to her vehicle last September.The 41-year-old, of Bede Burn Road, Jarrow, South Tyneside, also bombarded his ex with six emails, suggesting she had been unfaithful during their relationship and that she would be responsible were he to take his ownlife.Prosecutor Michael Bunch told the court the former couple had split permanently at the end of last August and Martin ordered the tracking device online on the 31st.Mr Bunch said the device was delivered and fitted to the victim's car within days and "he was able to follow her movements".The court heard it was on September 13 Martin followed his victim to her new partner's home in Gateshead.Mr Bunch said: "The address wasn't one which was known to the defendant and the Crown would say was obtained by him using the tracking device, given he arrived at the location a very short time after she had done so."The court heard Martin was "verbally abusive" to the victim's new man at the door.Mr Bunch added: "As a result of that contact the defendant was reported to the police.

“The complainant attended the police station and the police identified a tracking device had been fitted underneath her car."

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The court heard Martin was questioned by the police and denied he had fitted the device but had spotted her car by chance and followed to ask her for a child's car seat back.

He was released on bail with conditions to keep away from the couple but three days later sent an email to the victim's new partner, making references to his previous relationship with her.

In a statement, the victim said: "I feel permanently sick and scared."Keith has manipulated me and got into my head."I am terrified he will do something to my family and carry out a terrible attack on me. He knows everything about me – I am so frightened.

"When the police officer showed me the tracking device he had found on my car, I felt sick."

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Martin, who has convictions relating to offences for harassing his ex wife and another former partner, pleaded guilty to stalking.

Mr Recorder Peter Hampton sentenced Martin to 14 months imprisonment with a five year restraining order to keep him away from the latest victim and her new boyfriend.

The judge told Martin his past behaviour towards former partners was "worrying" and added: "Unless you modify your behaviour, unless you restrain yourself from harassing women with whom you are in a relationship that subsequently ends, the sentences will become longer and longer."

Nicholas Lane, defending, said Martin, who has been in custody on remand since last September, is "deeply remorseful" for his behaviour and added: "He regrets very much the stress and anxiety he has caused her.

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"He is very keen to do all he can so that she knows there will be no repetition of this behaviour."He now accepts the relationship is over and there is no desire on his part for there to be any contact."