Weymouth stalker tried to sell ex's £1m home and firebombed neighbour's Range Rover

Graham Harmes waged a five-month stalking campaign against Dr Margit Szel after their relationship broke down.

The 69-year-old snuck into her luxury home at Bowleaze Cove, Weymouth, on multiple occasions to move or break possessions and take important documents.

Graham Harmes Picture : DorsetPolice/BNPS

Harmes also superglued the locks and once told Dr Szel he had hired an 'SAS-type' to follow her.

He also arranged for an estate agent to look around the house and put it on the market while Dr Szel was away.

At one stage Dr Szel's neighbour Jennet Bennett witnessed Harmes damage her car and reported it to the police.

In retaliation, Harmes destroyed her Range Rover by setting it alight in the middle of the night, causing an explosion.

Graham Harmes pictured on CCTV after firebombing the neighbour's £40,000 Range Rover Picture: WessexCPS/BNPS

His behaviour left both terrified women to fear living in their own homes.

Harmes pleaded guilty to stalking, arson that was reckless as to whether life was endangered and witness intimidation. He was jailed for four years and five months.

Harmes, a father of three, had suffered mental health problems following the death of his wife of 43 years from a brain tumour before he met Dr Szel.

The couple had been together for seven years and bought a £1m contemporary home overlooking the sea.

But the relationship broke down by Christmas 2020 and Dr Szel, 70, said they agreed he would transfer his share of their property to her and she would pay him £1,000 a month for ten years.

Harmes disputed this arrangement and kept a key which he started to use in June 2021 when Dr Szel was away working.

The neighbour's firebombed £40,000 Range Rover Picture: WessexCPS/BNPS

Laura Deuxberry, prosecuting, said that on June 7 he let an estate agent in to evaluate the property and got him to come back on June 9 to photograph the house.

Particulars were drawn up and sent to Harmes and the house was then listed for sale before Dr Szel returned on June 10.

Ms Deuxberry said: "When Dr Szel returned home she discovered a number of important personal documents were missing. Two days later she arrived home to find the locks had been superglued and had to sleep in her car and call a locksmith the next morning."

The court heard that Dr Szel found out about her house going on the market and informed the estate agents on June 15 that she had not agreed to sell it.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard on June 20 she found Harmes had cut off the ears of a sentimental elephant toy she had and other items had been moved.

Ms Deuxberry said: "It caused her to fear for her life and feel frightened about what might happen next."

On September 21 he returned to snap off her windscreen wiper, and two days later he went back and broke a window to gain access.

On October 17, Harmes called and left voicemails for Dr Szel as well as sending an email claiming a friend of his was following her.

After Harmes was charged with stalking he was released on bail on October 19 with a condition not to go to the property.

But within hours he got drunk, stole petrol from an Esso garage and set fire to Mrs Bennett's car.

Robin Leach, defending, said Harmes was suffering mental health problems at the time.

Mr Leach said: "His actions were not well carried out. You might interpret a lot of his actions as a cry for help given the position he was in.

"He has no reason or excuse for setting fire to Mrs Bennett's car but his state of mind at the time was he was so upset he was probably going to take it out on anyone helping his ex-partner."

Recorder Robert Weekes QC told the defendant: "This is a tragedy, not only for the victims, but for yourself, having lived a productive and industrious life that you now find yourself in what should be your retirement in custody."

Harmes must pay £650 compensation to Mrs Bennett and £5.80 to an Esso garage for the petrol. A restraining order was made preventing Harmes from contacting either woman.