Following Griffiths J’s previous decision finding a defendant in contempt for two breaches of undertakings he had given to settle a harassment claim, see https://www.5rb.com/contempt-of-court-found-for-breaches-of-undertakings-given-in-harassment-claim/, at a penalties hearing on 27 July 2026, the judge committed the defendant to prison for 28 days. The judge determined that only an immediate custodial sentence was appropriate, having regard to the seriousness of the matter. Griffiths J further considered that aggravating features, including the “gender targeting” of his threats in a letter, outweighed mitigating factors. The defendant will be released after 14 days, pursuant to s.258 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003. The defendant was also ordered to pay costs of £35,000.
Kate Wilson, instructed by Foot Anstey LLP, acted for the claimants on the contempt application.
John Stables acted for the claimants in the original harassment proceedings, including an interim injunction application: [2024] EWHC 2621 (KB).
