A Lake Macquarie man has been jailed for seven domestic violence offences, including tracking his ex-lover's car and bugging her home.
Daniel Ben Barnett, 48, pleaded guilty in Belmont Local Court to one count of installing a device to record a conversation that he was not party to, as well as stalking and intimidating his former partner.
Other counts included installing and using a tracking device to find a person who did not consent to being tracked.
The offences occurred between November 2022 and March this year.
The court was told the car tracker was found by an auto electrician after the victim suspected she was being followed.
Police found a listening device in her bedroom when they checked her home after arresting Barnett on March 28.
The court was told the device was voice-activated and could operate for 25 days without being recharged.
Victim terrorised
On Friday, the victim anxiously sat in the court room awaiting the sentencing.
Barnett appeared via video link and kept his head down as the matter was dealt with for more than an hour.
He buried his face in his hands and shook his head as the sentence was delivered.
Police prosecutor Ashley Cooper told the court Barnett been charged with common assault on his ex-wife in 2018.
The prosecutor said in relation to the current matter, the victim had suffered "significant emotional harm" and that she was medicated after being diagnosed with PTSD.
"She suffers constant worry because of being tracked," the prosecutor said.
"This is a serious matter where someone will not take no for an answer.
"The community needs to know it will not be tolerated."
Defence solicitor Matthew Unwin said Barnett needed psychological intervention after two relationship breakdowns.
"Domestic violence is a considerable matter for society, but that's also in the context of violence," he said.
"This man has not been violent … it could have been a lot more serious.
"He's got a long way to go in understanding his actions."
Magistrate scathing
In sentencing Barnett, Magistrate Sharron Crews said what he had done was intrude on the victim's life in every aspect.
She agreed with police that although there was no physical violence, the level of control shown was concerning, as was a lack of evidence regarding his mental health.
Barnett submitted a handwritten letter of more than 15 pages in which he wrote that he was unsure why he acted the way he did.
"I am concerned by the comment that you were confused about installing the devices," Magistrate Crews said.
"It takes a certain level of planning.
"I would not be doing my job properly to deal with you by way of an intensive corrections order."
Magistrate Crews sentenced Barnett to an aggregate term of imprisonment for two years, with a non-parole period of 16 months.
"This relationship is finished. You need to understand and respect that," the magistrate said.
Ordeal is over, for now
Outside the court, the victim said she was relieved it was over "for now" and that the experience had taken an incredible psychological and emotional toll.
"I think the magistrate was very fair in identifying the plague of domestic violence that's sweeping across our nation," she said.
"She took all things into consideration and realised the severity of the crimes and the trajectory that type of crime can lead to."
The victim said there was a long journey ahead but she had a strong support network.
"Without the support of our family and our community, we wouldn't feel as safe and secure," she said.
Barnett will be eligible for parole in July 2024.
