Swansea man gets jail term for stalking

A man from Swansea has been jailed after pleading guilty to stalking.

42-year-old Raymond John pursued a course of harassment against his victim at her place of work between January and May this year.

On one occasion, he attended her place of work six times, standing in the entranceway and staring at the victim.

On another day, he attended when the victim was off work, and asked staff where she was. This pattern of behaviour continued for weeks.

The victim was unable to work by herself for her safety.

John also made sexual gestures towards the victim at her workplace, in full view of a colleague.

He has been sentenced to 12 weeks in prison and made subject of a restraining order against the victim.

PC Liam Finan said:

“Raymond John made his victim’s life uncomfortable on a daily basis with his completely unacceptable conduct.

“Nobody should have to put up with a stalker like this. We hope this is the end of his fixation with the victim.”

Stalking is a form of harassment, but the stalker will have an obsession with the person they're targeting and their repeated, unwanted behaviour can make the victim feel distressed or scared.   

Stalking may include: 

• following someone
• going uninvited to their home
• hanging around somewhere they know the person often visits
• watching or spying on someone
• identity theft (signing-up to services, buying things in someone's name)
• writing or posting online about someone if it's unwanted or the person doesn't know

It's stalking if the unwanted behaviour has happened two times or more and made you feel scared, distressed or threatened.

If this unwanted behaviour happens two times or more, it may be a crime and you can report it to us.