St Albans man sentenced to nearly four years in jail for stalking and arson

A man who became fixated and obsessed with his ex-partner after she ended their relationship was sent to prison for relentlessly stalking her and petrol bombing her car.

Michael Miller, age 38, of Cottonmill Lane in St Albans, who was already on a Stalking Protection Order from a previous relationship, was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment for stalking with serious distress, 45 months’ imprisonment for arson and nine months for breaching his Stalking Protection Order at St Albans Crown Court on Thursday 30 January. The sentences will run concurrently.

He was also given a 10-year restraining order.

Detective Constable Chloe Palmer from the Domestic Abuse Investigation and Safeguarding Unit (DAISU) said: “Miller is a dangerous man who was already subject of a Stalking protection Order when he met his ex-partner. 

“When she ended their relationship in July 2024, Miller relentlessly pursued her, messaged her, turned up at her workplace, leaving notes on her car overnight for days and even reported her to police for drug dealing. The stalking came to a head on 29 September when Miller used a petrol bomb to set fire to the victim’s car outside her home and messaged her to say ‘the car was just the start.’”

When he was arrested, he had a mobile phone, which he had not made available for inspection by his police offender manager under the conditions of his Stalking Protection Order.

DC Palmer said: “The victim is pleased he has gone to prison but the impact of his actions has left her frightened, insecure and worried all the time.  She has said that the mental scars will remain with her for a long time.”

In summing up, His Honour Judge Jonathan Mann described his actions as “an escalation of dangerous behaviour… You used a firebomb which was deliberate and dangerous… There is a psychological cost to the victim, it’s a direct attack on her personal safety.”

DC Palmer added: “If you have concerns about a partner, you can find out about Clare’s Law – also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) – which is a police policy giving people the right to know if their current or ex-partner has any previous history of violence or abuse.”

The scheme is named after Clare Wood who was murdered by her boyfriend in 2009. Request information under Clare's Law: Make a Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) application | Hertfordshire Constabulary

The force has a dedicated safeguarding unit which supports anyone experiencing coercive controlling behaviour or sexual assaults. 

You can call the Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline on 08 088 088 088 or email.

You can also report information online, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form.

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