Banbury woman ‘seriously distressed’ after ex threatened to torch home

Leon Fitzpatrick left his former girlfriend fearing for her safety and struggling to sleep after bombarding her with calls and abuse.

Oxford Crown Court heard how the 23-year-old left voicemails threatening to set the woman’s house and car on fire following their relationship in Banbury in April 2026.

He also made threats to her family and left her with 200 missed calls over a period of just a few days, causing her “serious distress”, prosecutor Kevin West said.

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Leon Fitzpatrick (Image: TVP)

The woman was also concerned that Fitzpatrick may turn up at her place of work after what was described by the judge as a series of “explosive outbursts” towards her and her new partner.

Fitzpatrick, who already has 17 previous convictions for 37 offences, pleaded guilty to harassment, stalking and two counts of sending threatening communications.

George Joseph, mitigating, said: “There are significant mental disorders relating to this defendant. These all had a part to play in the offending.

“It was obnoxious and unpleasant, but it was over a short period of time.”

But Judge Maria Lamb said the victims “had done nothing to deserve that.”

Fitzpatrick, of Ludgershall, Andover, was jailed for 34 weeks and was made subject to a 10-year restraining order relating to both victims.