A jail term has been imposed on a stalker who assaulted and threatened a woman in east Kent.
Nicholas Bergin broke into the woman’s home and followed her in his car during a campaign of offending.
The woman contacted Kent Police and Bergin was arrested and later charged with stalking and witness intimidation.
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The 46-year-old, formerly of Eversleigh Rise, Whitstable, pleaded guilty to both charges on Wednesday 29 June 2022 and was jailed for two years and eight months the following day.
Threats
Bergin had been in an abusive relationship with the woman during which he threatened her and attempted to control her.
Following the end of the relationship, he repeatedly went to her house and attempted to get in, damaging her door. He then managed to gain entry to the property before shouting abuse at and assaulting the victim.
Kent Police was made aware of Bergin’s actions following one such incident in December 2021. Bergin was arrested and released with a bail condition he could not contact the victim. Despite this, he continued to send her threatening messages and followed her to a health appointment. He was then rearrested and charged.
Protecting victims
Detective Constable Jess Meadway, investigating officer for the Canterbury’s Vulnerability Investigation Team, said: ‘Bergin gave no thought to the impact his offending would have on the victim and I hope the fact that he is now in prison helps her as she tries to put these incidents behind her.
‘I would like to praise her bravery in reporting these crimes to us and urge anyone who is in an abusive relationship or being harassed by someone they know to tell the police as soon as possible.
‘Your safety is our priority and we will take whatever steps are open to us to protect you and bring to justice those who might harm you.’
For more information on how the force is tackling Violence Against Women and Girls, and safety advice, visit: Tackling Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) | Kent Police