Young woman stalked by older man for almost a year shares her experience to help others

A young woman who was stalked by an older man for almost a year has spoken of her ordeal to help others in a similar situation.

Amy, not her real name, was stalked by a man who was almost 50 years older than her after she served him while working in a customer service job in a Suffolk town centre.

She said: “He appeared at my workplace regularly, sometimes multiple times a day.

“I was safe with security and cameras all over and people that knew the situation.

“The times I saw him outside work were even more terrifying. It disturbed me thinking about his confidence to go an arms-length close to me where he isn’t being monitored.”

For over a year, he would turn up at her workplace just to stare at her, and he would enter the premises to try and make contact.

He left cards inviting her to meet with him and confessed strong feelings for her, despite her only ever interacting with him in a professional capacity.

He would actively follow her outside of her workplace, even appearing when she changed her usual route, and showed up while she was shopping away from work.

Once challenged about his behaviour by Amy’s colleagues, he became aggressive and wrote a letter of complaint to her manager.

Following this, Amy became fearful of his intentions and of being at real risk of physical violence.

She reported his behaviour to the police and following inquiries, he was arrested and charged with stalking three months later.

Four months after being charged, he was sentenced at a county court in Essex to four months’ imprisonment.

He has also been restricted from entering the town centre where Amy worked and from making contact with her.

Brett Harris, detective chief inspector, said: “Stalking is a frightening offence that can happen to anyone.

“It can be a former partner, boyfriend or girlfriend, an acquaintance, a work colleague, or – as was in Amy’s case - a complete stranger.

“In 2024 we had 848 victims report incidents of stalking and harassment in Suffolk, and we take each report incredibly seriously.

“Our priority is the safety of our communities and I want to encourage anyone who has been affected by this type of behaviour to contact police so that we can take steps to keep you safe.”

“We understand that not everyone has the confidence to speak to police right away.

“There are support services, independent of the police, that can help you if you’ve been a victim of stalking. This includes the National Stalking Helpline, which is 0802 802030.”

Anyone who is affected by cyber stalking, is encouraged to get tips from Gete Safe Online or visit the force’s website for more information.