Stalker who hid near ex-partner's flat jailed

An "obsessive" stalker who repeatedly breached a restraining order has been jailed for more than two years.

Adam Schlitzke, 36, was given a community order for stalking his ex-partner in December 2024, but continued turning up at her home, Bradford Crown Court heard.

On one occasion when police were called to the building, Schlitzke was found hiding in a stairwell, forcing officers to use an incapacitant spray when he jumped out.

Schlitzke, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to harassment, common assault of an emergency worker, breaching the restraining order and possession of cannabis and was jailed for 30 months.

The court heard how in February this year Schlitzke turned up at the woman's flat door in the early hours.

He knocked on the door and when she refused to let him in he kicked the door and left.

He returned later that morning and when she opened the door to let her dog out, he walked into her flat and refused to leave her bedroom.

Prosecutor Thomas Theakston said the woman was too scared to call the police and when she left to go to a friend's house he followed.

Later that day, Schlitzke turned up at her flat again and when she threatened to call the police he took off his jacket and said 'call them, I'll fight them'.

Two police officers arrived and when the woman asked them to check the hallways, he was found hiding behind a door leading to a stairwell.

As one of the officers opened the door, Schlitzke lunged at him and he was sprayed in the eyes, the court heard.

Jailing him for 27 months, Recorder David Kelly also revoked the previous community order and sentenced Schlitzke to an extra three months in prison for the original stalking offence.

The judge said the original offence arose out of the defendant's "obsessive belief" that his ex was in a relationship with another man.

In her victim impact statement, the complainant described how she had suffered depression, anxiety and panic attacks and had been unable to work.

"I'm scared that one day he will hurt me or some other person because of me," she said.

"I'm scared that when he gets bail the situation will be the same."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.