Hitchin man Robert Kemp has been handed a full five-year Stalking Protection Order (SPO) to safeguard his former partner from his obsessive and controlling behaviour.

The order was given to Kemp, 37, at a virtual court on behalf of Luton Magistrates' Court heard by a district judge.

He had previously served a two-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to stalking in July last year.

Detective Inspector Claire Richardson from the Domestic Abuse Investigation and Safeguarding Unit said: "Although it is new legislation, it is really powerful in protecting people from irrational, obsessive behaviour.

"Kemp was completely fixated on his victim, she felt suffocated and couldn't breathe without him being there after she had ended their relationship.

"He was literally in every corner of her life, trying to contact her by whatever means. The SPO gives her much more protection than a restraining order, which runs alongside this order. I'm pleased to report that her life has been transformed without Kemp in her life.

"She's so grateful for the support she has received and it is very satisfying from our point of view to know that we can use these powers."

Kemp harassed his former girlfriend obsessively on social media and online as well as face-to-face when she ended their two-year relationship.

He threatened to take his life, used emotional blackmail and gaslighting – all signs of psychological abuse.

The police worked with other agencies to safeguard the victim as well as giving Kemp access to other agencies, including mental health services.

The victim called police on 101 when things escalated, with Kemp arrested on June 26, 2020. The victim was immediately referred to DC Mawer.

The victim said: "Report it – no matter how insignificant you think it is. Screen shot everything as it is evidence no matter how paranoid it may feel - without it, the case will be difficult to prove.

"I've always felt like I was being taken seriously even from the beginning."

Under the order, Kemp is prohibited from:

• approaching, seeking to approach or communicating by whatever means, directly or indirectly, with the victim (this includes social media or using banking apps).

• referring to the victim directly or indirectly in any public online forum.

• Entering any address or location he knows or believes the victim to be including her place of work.

• Using any mobile phone, computer, tablet or any device capable of connecting to the internet, (other than a games console), without risk management software being installed. In the event that, risk management software is unavailable he is prohibited from using the devices listed above unless i) he obtains written permission to use the device from his monitoring officer; ii) It has the capacity, to retain and display internet history and he does not delete, amend, change or prevent history, being stored (this includes "in private/incognito" browsing); and iii) he makes the device available, for inspection upon request (which includes providing correct passwords).

• Using any games console unless i) It has the capacity to retain and display internet history and he does not delete, amend, change or, prevent history being stored (this includes "in private/incognito" browsing); and ii) he makes the device available for inspection upon request (which includes providing correct passwords).

• Making any video or engaging in any surveillance of the victim or other women without their permission

If Kemp fails to comply with the SPO, he could be sent back to prison.