Stalker smashed up ex's home after Card Factory incident

Mitchell Pink, 22, attended his former partner's address after an altercation at her place of work at Card Factory in Above Bar Street. 

Southampton Crown Court heard how in the weeks leading up to the incident, Pink had been bombarding his victim with unwanted calls and texts.

But prosecutor, Laura Duff said this "came to a head" on October 17, 2023, when Pink turned up at her place of work, throwing cards at her from across the shop floor in front of customers. 

He left when threatened with police action, but told her: "Watch what I am going to do." 

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The victim later received a message from her brother to say that Pink had attended her Fullerton Place flat, causing damage and stealing items. 

An iPad, broadband router, Macbook and a Bluetooth Soundbar were taken, with two mirrors and a photo frame also having been smashed. 

Police attended and found that the drawers had been pulled out and threw around the bedroom. 

Officers later found him in his car at Mayflower Park and arrested him, locating the stolen items in the boot. 

He told police that he often attends the address with his ex's knowledge and had entered on this occasion "with the intention to chill" but had received a call from her which "wound him up", prompting him to punch the mirror. 

He added that he was "sorry for what he had done and wished he hadn't done it". 

He later pleaded guilty to stalking, criminal damage and burglary. 

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Pink, of Balfour Road, Southampton has five previous convictions for eight offences, including some committed against the same victim in 2019 when he sent abusive messages and also put his hand around her throat, causing her to struggle to breathe. 

He received a community order at the magistrates' court for those offences. 

Speaking at his sentencing hearing, Judge Peter Henry said: "That order does not appear to have worked at all because here you are behaving in very much the same sort of way.

"That previous conviction is obviously a considerable aggravating feature.

"It is quite clear that you were obsessively jealous of this victim and you persistently behaved in a way that was undoubtedly upsetting effectively ruining her life.

"To crown it all on the occasion when you broke into the flat you did a considerable amount of damage, wrote unpleasant messages and smashed things.

"I have no doubt in order to maximise the distress that she was going to suffer.

"I take into account that the burglary was committed as it were as a culmination of a campaign of stalking."

Southampton Crown Court

In a statement read out in court, the victim said she felt "constantly on edge and uncomfortable" whilst she was in a relationship with Pink. 

She added that he had "put a strain" on her education and would often accuse her of being unfaithful.

Pink was jailed for 15 months and received a restraining order banning him from contacting his victim for five years. 

Mitigating, Christopher Gaiger said he had already served six months while remanded in custody awaiting sentence - meaning he will be eligible for release in six weeks.

He added that the pair were "both very young when they started this relationship" and that his client had a "degree of immaturity in relation to the parties and the relationship".

"He contacted the aggrieved and effectively apologised for what happened at the flat. Showing some level of understanding of his behaviour and his maturity.

"There is in my submission, a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

"He certainly intends not to have any further contact with her."