Middlesbrough stalker terrorised ex-partner with vile threats

Tony Leming made his victim’s life a misery throughout their relatively short relationship by regularly beating her, threatening to kill her, and locking her in her home.

Teesside Crown Court heard how things came to a head when the 24-year-old attacked her again on August 5 last year.

Nigel Soppitt, prosecuting, said: “He came round to her house, she refused to let him in and he shouted – ‘If you don’t let me in, I will torch the house with you in it’.

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“She let him in and he pushed her onto the sofa before jumping on her causing her injuries to the arm.”

The following day, Leming returned to her home and again demanded to be let in before threatening to burn her home down.

Mr Soppitt said the complainant then sought safety at her parents’ home but the defendant tracked her down and started to make threats again before trying to ‘goad’ her father to come out of his house.

The court heard how the woman went on holiday at the end of August in the hope that she had left behind Leming’s behaviour but he made several abusive calls to her.

Tony Leming (Image: Cleveland Police)

Leming, of Littondale, Hemlington, Middlesbrough, was found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, stalking, threatening behaviour, and breach of a non-molestation order following a trial at Teesside Magistrates’ Court.

Emma Williams, mitigating, said the tree surgeon had lost his job after becoming addicted to crack cocaine and urged the judge to spare him from an immediate prison sentence.

Judge Howard Crowson branded Leming a ‘dominating’ bully who had previous convictions from incidents involving a previous partner.

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He said: “You attended her home and made threats to set fire to the house and she let you in.

“She was clearly vulnerable in her own home and was threatened by your actions – you threatened her to get access to the house.”

Dealing with the stalking charge, the judge added: “You attended the home of her and her parents, again making threats of a knife attack of fire and you made a series of telephone calls making other threats.”

Leming was jailed for a total of four years and two months for all offences and made subject of restraining orders keeping him away from his ex-partner and he parents.