ASHLEY BINDLEY – NORWICH

Man jailed after ‘vile’ campaign of threats against pregnant ex-partner, court hears

Date: August 2017

A Norwich man who subjected his pregnant former partner to a sustained campaign of harassment and threats has been sentenced by the courts, following behaviour described as placing his victim in constant fear.

Ashley Bindley, of St Leonards Road, Norwich, admitted harassment causing fear of violence after repeatedly sending offensive and threatening messages to his ex-partner, including an image of a BB gun. The court heard the messages were sent as part of what prosecutors described as a “vile campaign”.

Norwich Crown Court was told that Bindley frightened his former partner with messages, one of which stated she would “soon be with her deceased father”. He also sent her a photograph of an imitation firearm, later claiming it had been intended as a joke.

Prosecutor John Farmer said the victim contacted police on June 5 after becoming increasingly distressed by the harassment. Despite police involvement, Bindley continued attempting to contact her until his arrest the following day.

In a victim impact statement, the woman told the court that Bindley’s actions left her living in a “constant state of panic”. She said she was pregnant at the time and described feeling overwhelmed and frightened for her safety.

Bindley admitted putting a person in fear of violence by harassment. His barrister, Peter Spary, told the court his client accepted the relationship was over and acknowledged that the messages amounted to a “vile campaign”. He said Bindley now recognised that sending an image of a gun was “not funny” and described the threats as empty attempts to provoke a response.

Judge Maureen Bacon said the most serious aspect of Bindley’s behaviour was the sending of the gun image, which had the clear effect of instilling fear. The judge sentenced Bindley to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years. He was also made subject to a five-year restraining order preventing contact with his former partner and ordered to complete 40 hours of unpaid work.

Victim’s account following the case

Following the conclusion of the case, the victim has since stated that the abuse she experienced extended beyond what was heard in court. She has said she was subjected to physical violence, intimidation, stalking, and coercive control during the relationship.