A STALKER who used a drone to spy on his ex-partner and her friend has been jailed in one of the first cases of its type.

John McDermott, 42, of Birch Court, Connah’s Quay, was also banned under an indefinite restraining order from possessing or controlling a drone at Holywell and the village of Trelawnyd to protect those targeted by him.

Magistrates at Llandudno ordered the destruction of the drone in the case.

McDermott pleaded guilty to stalking Kerry Williams and her friend Daniel Redford by using a drone to monitor them after she moved into Mr Redford’s home at Holywell. He also admitted assaulting his ex’s stepbrother by pushing him.

The total jail term was 16 weeks and £64 compensation must be paid to both of the stalking victims.

Prosecutor Diane Williams said Kerry Williams contacted police on September 29 because she was being followed in a car by the defendant. McDermott had also tried to call her and she felt unsafe in her own home.

But McDermott went to Mr Redford’s home and made threats towards him and rude gestures.

In October the defendant had again followed his ex-partner and he repeatedly used a drone as an eye in the sky to watch where she lived.

The prosecutor said he was bailed for police inquiries with conditions which he breached.

On October 20 a drone had been seen flying above the property once again and Kerry Williams’s parents were filmed at their home.

She had ended a 16-week relationship in September and said in a victim statement :”I couldn’t cope with his controlling nature. I felt trapped.” She’d lost sleep because of him and felt terrified of what he might do. “I feel absolutely mortified, sick and intimidated,” she said.

Defence solicitor Victoria Handley said McDermott “completely accepts what he did was wrong.” He’d been in the armed forces and had post traumatic stress.

The lawyer said he’d spent three weeks remanded in custody. “This is completely out of character for him,” she added.

Court chairman John Rooney told McDermott it was behaviour intended to cause maximum fear and distress and he offended while on bail. “The victims have had to make changes to their lifestyles,” the magistrate added.