A 22 year old Cotswolds man whose family were so terrified of him they moved to a secret address to escape his threats and violence has been spared an immediate jail term at Gloucester Crown Court.

Robert Simpkins of Dixon Close, Mickleton, near Chipping Campden, had started fires, caused criminal damage and used violence towards his family before they moved on advice from police and social services, the court heard.

But Simpkins found out where they had gone and began stalking the family, in particular his father Mark Simpkins, last September, said prosecutor Ian Fenny.

Mr Simpkins was at home when he saw his son looking through the window. Simpkins left after a short time but his father was so concerned he called the police.

Police installed a panic alarm and a smoke detector, the prosecutor said.

In January, Mark Simpkins was out when he received a text from a neighbour warning him there was a 'lad sat on his wall.'

Mr Simpkins drove home and saw his son nearby. Simpkins stared at his father as he drove past.

The prosecutor said Mr Simpkins activated the panic alarm when he got back into the house. He then saw his son walk past and stare inside.

Simpkins then walked up to his father's car and looked at him again.

When Simpkins was later arrested he said he had gone there to 'give him his birthday treat.'

During a meeting with his offender manager at a later date Simpkins said that if ever saw his father again he would kill him, the court heard

Simpkins also told the offender manager he had once thrown an axe at his sister.

He also admitted that he had been to his father's new address on two other occasions.

Simpkins pleaded guilty to stalking between September 1, 2022 and January 5, 2023. The charge stated he had carried out a course of conduct which caused Mark Simpkins to fear violence would be used against him by standing and loitering outside his home for long periods of time.

Defence lawyer Jason Coulter referred the court to pre-sentence and psychological reports which had been ordered to assess the state of Simpkins' mental health.

Recorder James Bromige said: "The offences I am dealing with today concern your own family. There has been a long history of incidents between you and your family and that has caused them to be frightened of you. You have been violent, set fires, and caused criminal damage. Your behaviour was such that they were scared of you and they moved to an address that was witheld from you.

"Your father says that since 2020 he has lived in fear of you; he is anxious, not sleeping, and he has had to move because of your behaviour towards him."

Recorder Bromige said the psychiatric report on Simpkins raised 'matters of concern.'

But he said he had to take into account Mr Coulter's submission the offence Simpkins admitted amounted to loitering in the area of the family home - and also that Simpkins had been in custody for 6-7 months on remand since arrest.

"That period amounts to the equivalent of a 12-14 month prison sentence," he said.

"I have concluded that you are someone who needs help - you are still a young man."

Simpkins was sentenced to an 18 month community order with 30 rehabilitation activity days and a mental health treatment requirement. The judge also imposed a ten year restraining order banning Simpkins from contacting family members or going to designated places.