Appeal Court refuses Rotherham stalker's plea

Michael Joseph Deville (27), of Arundel Avenue, Rotherham, defied court orders designed to make him leave his victim alone and was eventually jailed for three years at Sheffield Crown Court in March.

He had pleaded guilty to common assault and breach of a restraining order.

But judges at the Appeal Court in London refused to cut his sentence saying it was clear that the Crown Court had had to take ‘drastic action’.

The court was told that Deville had sent texts, made threats and finally attacked her at home, punching her five times and ransacking her kitchen cupboards.