Brendan Robb’s persistent physical and psychological abuse of his victim saw him slapped with multiple court orders to protect her, including a stalking prevention order banning him from entering Swanley.
But the 35-year-old repeatedly defied these court orders, most recently when he was spotted near his kid’s school “disguised” by a facemask.
His victim said: “I have to regularly alter my routine and change the hours of my children’s nursery. I’m constantly driving in different directions so my movements are unpredictable and he can’t follow me.”
Judge Julian Smith sentenced Robb to two years and three months in prison after being “filled with horror” by the defendant’s assertion that he was the victim.
‘Scared to go outside’
Robb appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday (April 25) after he pleaded guilty to breaching a stalking prevention order.
The court heard that he Robb and the victim had been in a relationship for 10 years and had children together.
When the relationship ended after 10 years, Robb’s behaviour led to a non-molestation order being made in October 2021.
This didn’t stop him though and in April 2022 a stalking protection order was made, banning Robb from Swanley for a decade.
Last April the victim was collecting her kids from school when she spotted Rob, who was wearing a facemask.
When he was spotted he ducked behind a car then ran away, the court heard.
Robb was interviewed and denied being in the area, but in June entered a guilty plea.
In her victim impact statement, his ex-partner described how Robb’s behaviour left her scared to leave the house.
“My son keeps asking me if he can go outside, but I’m afraid to let me out in case Brendan stalks him,” she said.
“I have to regularly alter my routine and change the hours of my children’s nursery. I’m constantly driving in different directions so my movements are unpredictable and he can’t follow me.”
‘Persistent breaches’
Robb has 13 convictions for 26 offences and was previously jailed for four months for breaching the court’s non-molestation order in 2021.
Judge Smith said: “There have been previous sentences of imprisonment which seem to have done little to stop him from committing similar offences. He is thumbing his nose at a court order.”
He added: “This man may not have committed offences as grave and immediate as we seen in these courts on a regular basis – it is not unusual to see victims left beaten and bloody, which is not what happened her – but the gravamen here is the absolute persistence.”
Prior to the sentencing hearing, Robb was interviewed by a probation worker for a pre-sentence report.
The probation worker said: “Mr Robb holds distorted views and thinks he is the victim. He seems determined to breach sanctions imposed to protect [his ex-partner] and their children.”
Robb said he believed that the ban on him entering Swanley was unfair, as that’s where his friends and family live.
Judge Smith said: “You feel hard done by because you see it as your right to walk the streets of Swanley, causing fear and trepidation to your former partner. Whatever your perception of fairness or otherwise, the court says no.”
Sentencing guidelines suggest a maximum sentence of two years for breaching a stalking prevention order.
But Judge Smith said: “It seems to me that this is offending that in itself and because of its nature means I have to apply a deterent sentence, which acts as a warning to you for the future.”
He sentenced Robb to two years and three months in prison.
This means Robb will be released from prison in the next month, as he has been remanded in custody since April 2023.
Detective Constable Paul Wells, of the West Kent Vulnerability Investigation Team, said: “Robb had previously subjected his victim to persistent physical and psychological abuse and his contempt for the restrictions contained within the stalking prevention order has caused even further distress, fear and anxiety.
“Stalking can have a devastating effect on victims’ lives and can be incredibly frightening but as this case hopefully shows, we remain committed to protecting victims and ensuring offenders are swiftly brought before the courts.
“I would also like to remind people there is a wealth of support on offer to anyone subjected to this kind of abuse.
“No one needs to suffer in silence, and I would encourage anyone to report any concerns they may have to us. We also work with a number of other organisations to offer support to victims so they can feel safe again.”
