Burglary and Harassment Leads to Prison Sentence
A man who broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home, stole her underwear, and caused extensive damage to her property has been jailed for 20 months.
Stephen Kearney, 40, forced entry into his former partner’s house in the early hours of the morning using tools from her garden shed. Once inside, he rummaged through her belongings, stole three pairs of her underwear, cigarettes, vapes, and rifled through her handbag.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Kearney was already subject to a two-year restraining order after being convicted of harassing his ex, Clare Laird, in September last year. Despite the court order prohibiting him from contacting her or attending her home, he returned to her address on Elizabeth Road in Fazakerley on February 11 while she was working a night shift.
Forced Entry and Alarming Discovery
Neighbours reported the disturbance to police, who arrived to find Kearney inside the house. They discovered significant damage to the back door, where he had cut away a panel and removed the lock and handle. Tools were found strewn across the back garden, and a “messy search” had been carried out inside.
Upon arrest, officers also found two bags of cannabis on Kearney. When questioned, he told police he had been drinking alcohol and using cocaine, stating he “wasn’t thinking clearly.”
Disturbing Behaviour and Court Proceedings
In a pre-sentence report, concerns were raised about Kearney’s theft of underwear, with the judge questioning whether it suggested “some sort of sexual obsession.” In response, Kearney initially claimed he had used them to stem the bleeding from a cut, a justification dismissed by the court.
His defence lawyer, Tom Watson, told the court: “It smacks of someone who simply has not been able to come to terms with the end of the relationship. He has struggled to understand his behaviour and has descended into alcohol and drug use.”
Watson highlighted that Kearney had once been a “hard-working, law-abiding man” but had spiraled into criminal activity following the loss of his job and relationship. He added that Kearney was remorseful, stating, “His words were, ‘I couldn’t be more sorry.'”
Judge’s Condemnation and Sentencing
Judge Neil Flewitt KC condemned Kearney’s actions, saying: “She is now scared, even in her own home. There was certainly an element of vindictiveness to the commission of this offence. You targeted somebody in her own home who already had a restraining order to keep you away.”
Kearney admitted to burglary, two counts of harassment, and possession of cannabis. Alongside his 20-month prison sentence, he was handed a new five-year restraining order to prevent him from contacting Laird or approaching her home.
“You present, at present, until you deal with the end of this relationship, as a real danger to your ex-partner,” the judge told him. “I accept that you are now sorry, although that is little comfort for your victim.”
