A man has been jailed for five years after bombarding his ex-girlfriend with hundreds of abusive messages and setting a moped on fire outside of her home.
Harrow resident Adam Woodhouse, 35, texted his former partner saying “I will go to prison for murder of you” and sent her photos of his genitals shortly after the fire, while he was avoiding the police.
He was jailed for five years at Harrow Crown Court on Friday after previously being convicted of multiple offences, including cyber-flashing, arson with intent and stalking.
Following his sentencing, his ex-partner described how she did not want “any other woman to go through this”.
She said: “What Adam has put my children and I through has ruined our lives completely… I would say to any other women who are experiencing domestic abuse to be brave, come forward and get support from the police to get the justice you deserve.”
Woodhouse subjected his ex-girlfriend to a year of abuse after their relationship ended, bombarding her with hundreds of abusive messages and phone calls, recording videos of her outside her address and smashing her garden pots and car windows.
He even broke into her home, stealing all sets of house keys and her car in July.
Woodhouse then continued to bombard her with abuse and in September 2024 he set fire to a moped outside her home, trapping the victim and her children inside.
The London Fire Brigade rescued those inside quickly, and no one was injured.
After the fire, Woodhouse called his ex-partner and laughed at her, gloating about his actions, the Met Police said.
While evading police for the arson offence, Woodhouse then sent images of his genitals to the victim, which were unsolicited and threatening.
He was arrested on September 30 in Lincolnshire.
During interview, Woodhouse was extremely aggressive towards officers, stealing interview papers and swearing.
He then urinated over his custody cell and under the door, meaning he was also arrested for criminal damage.
After being charged, Woodhouse pleaded guilty to arson with intent to endanger life, stalking, cyber-flashing, burglary, taking without consent and criminal damage.
As well as being sentenced to five years in prison, Woodhouse was also issued with a lifetime restraining order against the victim after being described as a “dangerous offender” by the judge at Harrow Crown Court on Friday.
Detective Constable Olivia Fox from the North West Public Protection Unit said: “Woodhouse demonstrated that he was an abusive domestic perpetrator, repeatedly targeting this young woman to the point this abuse took over her life.
“Woodhouse made it his mission to make this woman’s life hell and treated her like she was a possession that he owned. He would then ‘love-bomb’ her and attempt to persuade her that she needed him.
“She was so terrified of Woodhouse that she initially withdrew supporting the investigation out of fear.
“It takes an brave person to pick up with an emotionally draining investigation again and I commend her tenacity and strength. I hope that today’s sentence allows her to move forward with her life.”
“Victims of domestic abuse can often feel lonely and isolated and I understand that many have perceptions that the police won’t be able to help.
“We are better trained than ever to investigate reports of domestic abuse and will continue to work with our partner agencies to ensure that all victims of domestic abuse get justice.”
