Man Jailed After Sending Fridge Freezer to Restraining Order Victim

A 53-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 months in prison after breaching a restraining order by having a fridge freezer delivered to his victim’s home. 📦⚖️

Benjamin Sergeant, from Wyeside Gardens in Hay-on-Wye, Powys, was already subject to a two-year restraining order imposed last year following a pattern of unwanted contact including texts, calls, moving items in the victim’s garden, purchasing unwanted gifts, and “waving frantically through her window.”

In December last year, Sergeant ordered a fridge freezer from a shop in Hay-on-Wye, telling the delivery man it was for his “girlfriend” and providing the victim’s address. When the appliance was delivered on January 3, the victim confirmed Sergeant’s identity as the purchaser through a photograph.

During Tuesday’s sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, the victim’s personal statement revealed the toll of Sergeant’s actions: “The last 18 months have been hell. His behaviour has affected me every day.”

The court heard that Sergeant has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was hearing voices at the time. His defence stated he was unable to understand his behaviour was unwanted and believed he was in love with the victim, though his condition is now reportedly stable.

Recorder David Harris sentenced Sergeant to 20 months imprisonment and imposed a new restraining order. The defendant, who has two previous convictions for breaching restraining orders, pleaded guilty to harassment and breach of a restraining order.