Teacher was stalked by rejected ex-lover who put tracker on car

Carpenter Janus Zwart carried out “an immature, jealous and spiteful series of actions” because he “was not man enough to cope with the fact that she rejected him”, the judge said.

He was sentenced to 15 months in prison suspended for two years at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court after pleading guilty to stalking. Mr Eugene Egan, prosecuting, said NamibianZwart had been in a relationship with victim Erena Kolano-Rodgers for two years but it ended early in 2016.

From August to October 2016, 42-year-old Zwart stalked her by throwing stones at her window, going in her garden at night, and repeatedly deflating her car tyres.

When she returned from a trip, garden ornaments had been moved and a gate was repaired. CCTV was installed and he was seen examining her tyres and leaving a rose at night.

The incidents continued, and Zwart was given a final warning by the police.

But he continued to deflate her tyres and appeared outside her house and at a pub she was in. A tracking device was found underneath her car., and Zwart called it numerous times to find out her whereabouts, including 14 times while she was at the police station. He then went to the station saying he had seen her car outside but he had tracked her.

Ms Kolano-Rodgers said the incidents had made sleeping difficult, it was a burden to continually check her car, and it had affected her three children. She had left her teaching job, was signed off work and prescribed medication. Mr Egan said she was selling her house and car.

Ms Ashanti-Jade Walton, for Zwart, said Zwart wanted to feel close to Ms Kolano-Rodgers and he felt wronged when the relationship came to an end.

She said his childhood in South Africa with his police officer father who disciplined him with a belt, had contributed to his distorted belief system.

Zwart had not contacted the victim for over a year and moved to Taunton, she said.

Sentencing Zwart, Judge P H Thomas said: “The simple fact is that she did not want you. You have to live with that and grow up. The way you acted was more reminiscent of a boy of 14 than someone in their 40s.”

He said some of Zwart’s actions were dangerous and sinister such as the tyre deflating which could have compromised the safety of her car when her children were in it, and the tracking device.

He told Zwart: “She is not your property. If she does not want a relationship with you it’s entirely her right and her decision.”

Zwart must also pay £1,030 compensation, and a restraining order was put in place banning him from contacting her indefinitely. He will also have to complete 30 rehabilitation days, a relationship programme and 100 hours of unpaid work.