Victim's dismay over stalker colonel's 'slap on the wrist' as ex-partner claims he 'avoided jail over his top Army career'
Sarah Crossley-Weir claims the reason Terry Southwood was let off lightly by a judge was because of his distinguished military career and glowing references.
The 57-year-old retired Royal Army Medical Corps officer spent six months harassing and stalking Ms Crossley-Weir after she ended their five-year relationship.
The couple had got together in 2017 before he moved in with her and her children at their home near Milton Abbas, Dorset, in July 2021.
But about a year later she told Southwood to move out, which he did 'reluctantly'. Soon after he hid a tracking device in the passenger seat of her car, and turned up at her home several times. He also bombarded her with messages and flowers.
She also received four anonymous typed poison-pen letters that contained details only he knew. Southwood was issued with a five-year restraining order after he pleaded guilty to an offence of stalking at Bournemouth Crown Court last week.
Southwood, who had no previous convictions, had a 37-year career in the Army with 'exemplary conduct'. After retiring he got a job with technology and logistics specialists Leidos.
Judge Susan Evans gave him a 12-month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work and 25 rehabilitation days. She also ordered him to pay £500 costs.
Sarah Crossley-Weir (pictured), a mother-of-four stalked by her Army colonel ex-boyfriend. has hit out at his 'slap on the wrists' punishment after he avoided jail
Ms Crossley-Weir claims the reason Terry Southwood (pictured) was let off lightly by a judge was because of his distinguished military career and glowing references
The 57-year-old retired Royal Army Medical Corps officer (pictured arriving at Bournemouth Crown Court) spent six months harassing and stalking Ms Crossley-Weir after she ended their five-year relationship.
She told him: 'You had 37 years in the Army, leaving at the rank of colonel. You did active service ... and suffered PTSD.
'Following the breakdown of the relationship it is quite clear your mental health declined and you became depressed. It is very much to your credit you're now working full time and clearly valued by your employers.'
Ms Crossley-Weir, 51, said: 'The police were amazing, when his behaviour was unrelenting... they did everything they could.
'The domestic abuse support worker was amazing. The support I had in terms of organisations coming out to advise on security and giving me things to fit to the window was amazing.
'However, I feel like the court system has let me down. It doesn't send a great message to other people because really [his punishment] is a slap on the wrists – 'Don't be a naughty boy, you have got a fabulous track record in the Army'.
'It's rubbish and he should have received a custodial sentence.'
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