R v Phillipe Dookhun

Facts

The applicant, Phillipe Dookhun, and his former wife ("C1") had been a couple for over 20 years and had three children together. They separated in 2020 but remained in an on-and-off relationship until April 2021, when C1 applied for a divorce; she moved out of the family home in July 2022. The court recorded that the applicant had been volatile, manipulative and threatening, and that his behaviour was why C1 left and sought a divorce. After she moved out he sent unwanted messages from his own phone and from alternate numbers, monitored and watched her, and inundated her with messages accusing her of cheating; he was arrested and released under investigation but the behaviour continued. He also became fixated with a colleague of C1 ("C2"), sending him messages, some threatening, accusing him of an affair with C1. At the plea and trial preparation hearing on 4 September 2023 he pleaded not guilty to four counts. Following a conference with counsel on 1 November 2023, he pleaded guilty on 23 November 2023 to stalking (count 2) and harassment (count 3), counts 1 and 4 being ordered to lie on the file. He was sentenced on 21 March 2024 to 55 months' imprisonment concurrent with 12 weeks. A sentence appeal was refused. He then applied, 390 days out of time, for leave to appeal against conviction; the single judge refused the application on the papers and he renewed it.