Stalker put scanner on ex-wife's car to find her boyfriend

A MAN has admitted using a scanner on his estranged wife's car to find out where her boyfriend lives.
Simon Darlington from Locks Heath leaves Portsmouth Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to stalking his ex-wifeSimon Darlington from Locks Heath leaves Portsmouth Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to stalking his ex-wife
Simon Darlington from Locks Heath leaves Portsmouth Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to stalking his ex-wife

Simon Darlington appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard the 47-year-old had been married to his wife Emma for 10 years but they split last year.

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Darlington found out his wife had a new partner and started to send her text messages in November, the court heard.

One sent on November 30 said: ‘I hope you told that... to watch his back. He’s a dead man.’

His former wife then contacted the police but asked them not to take any action.

Darlington sent more texts on December 1 and 2.

Then on December 6 he sent a picture to her of the outside of the new boyfriend’s home.

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Marie Fittall, prosecuting, said that message had the suggestion of saying ‘I’ve found out where he lives’.

She then called the police to make a complaint and went round to speak to Darlington in a bid to resolve the issue.

But instead he sent more abusive text messages to her, the court heard.

Ms Fittall added: ‘The new partner found a photo on his car of Emma and him together and an expletive had been written on it.

‘The same photo had been sent to Emma.’

Darlington was later arrested.

Ms Fittall said: ‘In interview he made full admissions.

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‘He explained he loaded some software onto his computer to help him locate where the partner was.

‘He explained that he had put a tracking device on Emma’s car.

‘The purpose of that was to follow that to the partner’s address.’

Darlington pleaded guilty to stalking Emma between November 28 and December 19 last year. He will be sentenced on February 19.

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District Judge Anne Arnold said: ‘I’m going to adjourn the case so the court can have the benefit of a pre-sentence report.

‘I’m leaving the court’s sentencing options open.’

Dad-of-two Darlington, of Locks Road, Locks Heath, was bailed with conditions he should not go to his ex-wife’s home in Upper Brooks Drive in Locks Heath.

He must also not go to an address in Chandler’s Ford and to an area of Locks Heath Shopping Village.