Jealous husband, 45, who secretly bugged his estranged wife’s house and car so he could listen in on her new life is slapped with a restraining order
- Anthony Scott used bugs in home and car after he split with his wife Claire
- She reported him to police after he mentioned things she’d said to others
- Scott admits harassment but avoids a jail term on a rehabilitation order
Anthony Scott has avoided a jail term for bugging his estranged wife, Claire’s, car
A jealous husband secretly bugged his estranged wife’s house and car after the couple separated so he could listen in on her new life.
Father-of-two Anthony Scott, of Swansea, admitted harassment after his former partner Claire became suspicious that she was being spied on.
She went to police after her ex would send her messages with details he could only have got from her private conversations.
Scott, 45, has avoided jail on an 18-month rehabilitation course. He was also handed a five year restraining order.
Prosecutor Catrina Hughes said the couple broke up in 2017 and Scott moved out of their family home.
But Claire, also 45, became suspicious after Scott mentioned a country walk and meal that she was planning with another man.
Scott also cryptically messaged his wife: ‘Bugs are wonderful things – especially microscopic ones.’
She reported him to police and detectives found a listening device planted in her car.
The couple broke up in 2017 and Mrs Scott became suspicious after her ex referred to things she’d said in private conversations
Miss Hughes said: ‘He had effectively been spying on her through the devices. He was not just purely listening in without her consent, he was trying to make her worried.’
Swansea Crown Court heard Scott also tried to access his wife’s social media accounts and would turn up at the house trying to find out if anyone else was there.
Scott claimed he had installed the listening devices before the couple split so he could monitor builders carrying out renovation works inside, but he admitted the charge last week.
Nicola Powell, defending, said Scott was ‘thoroughly ashamed of his behaviour.’
Judge Geraint Walters said Scott’s behaviour was obsessive and that he was ‘very odd.
The judge warned Scott he would be jailed if he ignored the restraining order
He said: ‘If you come back here having shown no interest in the order and not having put your back into it, we will meet again and you do not need to be legally qualified to realise what will happen.’
Scott, of Swansea, admitted harassment but avoided jail on a rehabilitation order