Man jailed after using tracking app to kidnap ex-partner from York hotel

A man has been jailed after tracking a woman to a York hotel, assaulting her and kidnapping her.

On the afternoon of September 13, 2025, the victim had not been sitting down for five minutes at a hotel in York, when Leon Harvey, 43, from Scunthorpe, interrupted her and marched her out, the court heard.

On leaving the hotel, Harvey punched and kicked the victim, causing her to fall over causing injuries to her face, lip and knee.

The defendant told the victim that he had a tracker on her vehicle.

He took her mobile phone and said that she had to come with him in his vehicle.

Police soon caught up with the vehicle, and Harvey was arrested and found to be in possession of the victim’s phone and keys.

Digital forensic work of Harvey's phone found tracking apps such as 'find my phone' app, which was how he was able to follow the victim to the hotel.

Emails recovered from his device also showed that he had been subscribing to tracking companies, the court was told.

During Harvey's interviews, he claimed he was in a relationship with the victim, despite the relationship having ended a number of months previous.

The court heard how Harvey denied kidnapping or assaulting her, and told police “you cannot kidnap someone you are in a relationship with”.

A Scunthorpe man has been jailed after tracking a woman down to a hotel in York, forcing her out of the hotel, assaulting her and then forcing her into his car.

Harvey previously pleaded not guilty but was found guilty by jury following a four-day trial in April.

On Thursday (Aug 6), at York Crown Court, he was sentenced to six years in prison.

As well as jail time, Harvey has been given a 20-year restraining order, preventing him from making any contact with the victim for 20 years.

The investigating officer, PC Simone Frost, said: "In his interviews, Harvey showed no remorse and it was clear he believed he had every right to act the way he did. He showed typical abusive behaviour which was possessive and entitled.

"The victim has shown great courage throughout. Thankfully this sentence puts an end to Harvey’s coercive and controlling behaviour and, I hope, goes some way in helping the victim move forward with her life.

"I hope this sentence encourages other victims, who are suffering at the hands of abusers, to come forward and report what is happening to them."