'Notorious stalker' slammed as 'irrational' by crime commissioner after losing harassment appeal
A “notorious stalker” has been slammed by the police and crime commissioner as “irrational” for “kidnapping threats” after losing his harassment conviction appeal.
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Robert Hood, 59, was previously jailed for 20 weeks in September after being found guilty of a single charge of harassment without violence against crime commissioner Donna Jones.
Hood, of Kingsley Road, Southsea, had turned up at Ms Jones’ office with falsified arrest warrants to “kidnap” her using “reasonable force” - which she described as “extremely distressing”.
The worrying turn of events led the commissioner to reconsider her office security and attendance at public events. She described the harassment as “sad” and admitted there was “genuine concern” over his behaviour and branded Hood a "notorious stalker”.
Hood previously appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court for trial after denying the offence between March 4 and June 6 in 2024.
Hood, who goes by the social media pseudonym of “Rat Catcher”, was found guilty, though, before being sentenced to 20 weeks behind bars on September 1.
However, Hood appealed the conviction which a judge at Swindon Crown Court has now rejected. Ms Jones welcomed the result and approved of the life-long restraining order issued but revealed how the latest hearing had taken its toll on her.
She said: “Robert Hood’s decision to appeal his conviction of harassment against me was just another example of his fixated behaviour and demonstrates his continued campaign of stalking against me in my role as Police and Crime Commissioner.
“The appeal was dismissed entirely, with the judge specifically highlighting Hood’s actions as being irrational, alarming, bullying and clearly designed to cause me fear.
“Putting me through another hearing, to have to relive the fear of threats to kidnap me and remove me from my place of work using ‘reasonable force’, was extremely distressing.
“Holding public office is a privilege and a sacrifice. But nobody should be forced to fear for their safety when trying to carry out their job.
“Mr Hood, and other perpetrators need to realise they can’t fixate, intimidate and terrorise people and get away with it.
“His vendetta is having a detrimental effect not only on myself but my family, friends, staff and colleagues and it needs to stop.
“Thanks to the District Judge for the life-long restraining order, I have been afforded some protection when Mr Hood is eventually released from prison.”
Hood was also jailed for three months in 2024 for contempt of court after going on the run. He was jailed for breaching an injunction not to contact or post about the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) which had launched civil proceedings against him following his campaign of “harassment” towards them.