Stalker jailed after 'relentless' campaign against his ex, her mum and the man he falsely believed she was going out with

QUARRY OWNER USED HI-TECH TRACKING DEVICES AND SENT THREATENING MESSAGES AND EMAILS TO ALL THREE VICTIMS

- By SOPHIE CORCORAN

A WEST Yorkshire business owner who tracked his mother-in-law’s car and then stalked a man he mistakenly believed was in a relationship with his ex-partner has been jailed.

During a terrifying course of conduct, Samuel Hunter, 33, of Boothroyd Lane, Dewsbury, harassed and stalked his ex, her mother, and a man she had never even met.

Leeds Crown Court heard on Thursday that he had turned his attention to the man after tracking the woman to what he believed was his address.

The woman had actually been visiting a friend who lived nearby.

Prosecutor Graham O’Sullivan told the court the couple's relationship ended in September last year following an attack where he had tried to take her phone from her.

Mr O'Sullivan said: “He pinned her down to take her phone and held it to her face for use for face identification. She turned away.

“He tried to walk off and she grabbed the door and he trapped her fingers. This lasted for around 30 seconds before he let go and came back into the office. She ran out and got in her car to drive away and he got in his car and followed.”

The woman tried to ask members of the public for help, but Hunter crashed his car into hers.

The court heard that the couple split a month later, in September.

Mr O'Sullivan said: “The defendant mistakenly believed that she - following the breakup - had involved herself with a man.

“It appears to be that he [Hunter] was tracking the movements of her car and saw she was frequenting a particular location, actually her friend’s house. He was looking at Google Earth or similar and thought the man was involved in a relationship with her.”