Dorset Beauty Queen warns others to know the signs of stalking
'This all could have been avoided'; Samantha Bumford wishes she'd called police sooner.
Last updated 24th Aug 2021
A Dorset Beauty Queen says her two year long stalking nightmare could have been avoided if she'd spotted the red flags.
Samantha Bumford's coming forward to make sure other people go to the police sooner than she did.
It comes as the mother of Alice Ruggles, a 24 year old from Cumbria who was killed by her ex-boyfriend, urges people to know the signs.
For Samantha, it wasn't until her stalker followed her to work and got aggressive with her that she realised she needed to go to the police. When she reported him, it turned out he was known to them with 19 previous convictions.
"I did not call them early enough and I kick myself every day for that and I think 'This all could have been avoided.'
"It's looking out for those signs of unwanted contact, mine was constantly posting me, and pictures of me, and talking about me, and doing videos of 'Where's Sam and how do I find her?
"It's that obsessive, over-the-top that you've got to look out for."
Sam's family evacuated her from a beauty pageant final when her stalker attended, and tried to hug and kiss her after the competition. Afterwards he followed her near her work and pushed her into a corner. That's when she called the police.
"I, at the time, thought it was just another follower and another supporter, but very quickly it became apparent to everybody but me that it was more sinister than that."
This week Greatest Hits Radio is raising awareness of stories like Samantha's so people know when to call the police.
Both Samantha and Dr Sue Hills, mother of Alice Ruggles say when behaviour becomes obsessive, that's when it's time to pick up the phone.
Samantha added:
"Stalking is unwanted contact, and telling someone their contact is unwanted.
"If you feel uncomfortable just say 'I feel a little bit uncomfortable, could you please stop?' Then, if they continue and there's that wary feeling in your stomach, always call the police."