Man jailed for terrifying stalking campaign in Fareham

A man has been jailed following a campaign of stalking in Fareham.

Police were contacted in May last year by a woman reporting that 45-year-old James Renfree had been stalking her and making threats.

At the time of the call, police were told that Renfree had warned the woman he’d be at her address within an hour, and threatened her with violence.

Renfree had also been sending the woman hundreds of emails with threats to attend her home, burn her mother’s house down, and making threats to shoot the woman’s partner. He turned up at her home address in Fareham on 4 May and made further threats to shoot her partner.

On 6 May, Renfree attended the address again before entering the back garden and damaging a BBQ and glass tables. He was armed with a hammer at the time and continued to shout threats at the victims.

Renfree, of Southampton Road in Titchfield, was subsequently charged with stalking involving fear of violence, which he admitted when he appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on 4 November 2024.

Appearing at the same court for sentencing on Friday 10 January this year, Renfree was jailed for 16 months and handed a 10 year restraining order.

DC Ethan Beesley said: “This was a terrifying campaign of stalking perpetrated by Renfree, who continuously made threats and turned up at the address of the victims, making them fear he would carry out these threats.

“His behaviour was shocking. No-one should have to live in such fear and suffer such levels of harassment and abuse.

“We take allegations of stalking incredibly seriously, and encourage anyone who has been affected by this type of behaviour to please contact police on 101, where you can speak to a police officer in confidence. Dial 999 in the event of an emergency or if a crime is ongoing.”

We understand that not everyone has the confidence to speak to police right away. There are support services, independent of the police, who can help you if you’ve been a victim of stalking. For more information, visit the stalking and harassment support page on our website: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/beta-stalking-and-harassment/stalking-harassment-support-organisations/