A man sent a chilling Christmas card to his ex-girlfriend just weeks after being released from prison for stalking her.
Dwayne Kaid, 44, sent the e-card to the woman, which read: “Merry Christmas to you all” and ended with a sad-faced emoji. Kaid had referred to himself as “D” in the card, which was sent to the woman on December 24, 2023.
Kaid had been convicted of stalking with fear of violence in October the same year. He was sentenced to eight months in prison and made the subject of a three-year restraining order prohibiting him from contacting the victim, who was forced to move home in fear of him.
Prosecutor Katherine White told Sheffield Crown Court on Thursday, January 9: “The complainant was previously in an on-off relationship with the defendant from 2015 before they rekindled in September 2021. They remained in a relationship until January 2023.
“On 16th October 2023, the defendant was convicted of stalking involving fear of violence and battery – both convictions of which she was the complainant. He was sentenced to eight months imprisonment on that occasion and made subject of the restraining order…On 25th December, 2023, she got a Christmas card by email from 123cards.com…It had arrived just after 10am on 24th December.”
The court heard that police managed to attribute the email address that had set up an account on the website and the IP address to Kaid, of Norfolk Park Road, Sheffield.
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Ms White said: “It put her on edge and made her anxiety very high to the point she didn’t want to go outside and was scared he would find out where she was living and he would cause harm to her.”
Kaid was arrested on January 10 last year and denied sending the card, making assertions that the woman had lied previously. He went on to admit breaching a restraining order on the basis that he did not try and find out her address or scare her. He said in his basis of plea that his intention was to show “no hard feelings.”
Ms White told the court dad-of-three Kaid had 30 previous convictions for 87 offences.
Mitigating, Benjamin Whittingham, said the breach was a single incident. He said: “It was committed two months after the order was put in place. The defendant clearly failed to appreciate the effect it would have on the complainant. Notwithstanding, the thinking behind his actions, I submit, were naïve and well intentioned.
“There has been no breach since and there was no breach before.”
His Honour Judge Dixon said: “I don’t accept this is a man who has just been released from prison and decides, ‘I will send a Christmas card to say no hard feelings.'”
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Mr Whittingham: “On the face of the card, the contents itself, there was nothing to indicate it was intentioned as any form of threat…He is in full time employment and his job is at risk with any period of custody. He has his own accommodation that is also at risk if there is a period of custody.”
The judge made Kaid the subject of a two-year community order, during which he will have to carry out 50 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay costs of £400 within six months. The restraining order was also extended to last for 10 years.
Judge Dixon said: “The complainant was stalked by you in the past and as a result, Derby Crown Court thought it right to impose an order stopping you having any contact with her…
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“The problem with people like you is that when you get into a situation with a relationship that goes wrong, you find it hard, it seems to let go and this is what this is here. It is your attempt to make sure she understands you’re always around. My view remains that this was a deliberate attempt for you to reinforce, ‘I’m always here.’
“The complainant was concerned. She had been moved because of your behaviour and didn’t want you to know where she was and was concerned about it and you finding her…This is not a minor breach, it is a deliberate case…Any breaches of this order, you will have the pleasure of coming back before me.
“You understand the view I have of you and what will happen if you decide not to follow any orders.”