Brighton man found in woman's wardrobe jailed for breaching restraining order

A Brighton man who breached a restraining order against a woman multiple times, including being found hiding in her wardrobe, has been jailed.

Leon Chart, 42, of no fixed address, was ordered not to contact or enter the home of his victim after being convicted of actual bodily harm and criminal damage in 2020.

But shortly before 1am on Sunday, November 21, police were called to a property in Portslade after Chart was spotted on CCTV entering through the back door.

Officers searched the property and found him hiding in a cupboard in one of the bedrooms.

Chart was arrested for breaching his restraining order and released under strict bail conditions while charges were prepared.

Following Chart’s arrest, his victim reported meeting him around a month previously, on October 23, when she was violently assaulted.

He also made contact with her on November 18 and tricked her into meeting face to face.

On November 25, a warrant was issued for Chart’s arrest after he breached his prison licence conditions and an active search for his whereabouts began, while his victim continued to be supported by officers.

He was arrested on January 4, 2022, after the same woman reported receiving a phone call where Chart claimed to have been watching her and made threatening remarks.

Police traced the location of the phone call and took Chart into custody. He was charged with four counts of harassment – breach of a restraining order – and one count of assault.

At Lewes Crown Court on March 2, he was sentenced to 32 months in prison – eight months for each harassment charge, to run consecutively, and a concurrent three-month jail term for assault.

Detective Sergeant Steph Bell said: “The persistent harassment and violence seen in this case had a devastating impact on Chart’s victim, physically as well as psychologically.

“Leon Chart was a committed offender who continued his pattern of violent and threatening behaviour despite numerous previous convictions.

“We are pleased to have secured a jail sentence that will hopefully provide some peace of mind for his victim, who will continue to have the support of our officers.

“If you are the victim of harassment or any crime, please report it online, by dialling 101 or via 999 in an emergency."