Man sentenced after admitting stalking woman in Salisbury
54 year old Michael Chown from Sixpenny Handley has avoided jail though
A man's been sentenced after admitting stalking a woman in Salisbury over three months - but has avoided jail.
54 year old Michael Chown from New Town, Sixpenny Handley, has been handed a 36 week prison term by Salisbury Crown Court, suspended for two years.
He's also been given a restraining order until further notice, ordered to take part in an Accredited Programme for 43 days, rehab for 5 days, carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and pay a surcharge of £187.
What happened?
Chown made unwanted contact with his victim, between September and November 2023, despite being given words of advice by police officers not to contact her.
He was seen around her address, following her through Salisbury and contacting her by phone and letter.
In a statement read out in court his victim said:
"When I first met Michael it was outside my house..I always assumed it was a coincidence that he was outside that day, and we just started chatting. But now I know I was wrong ... he had been watching me.
"For someone who I only wanted to be friends with, he became obsessed with me, and I can't take it anymore, he has destroyed me."
Local Crime Investigator Humby said: "Chown subjected his victim to repeated and appalling psychological abuse.
"He made countless phone calls and sent unwanted texts to her, leaving her in constant fear and forcing her to change her daily routines.
"The harassment was relentless and has caused his victim a huge amount of distress and anxiety.
"We are grateful that she has shown tremendous courage in coming forward and helping us secure this important sentence.
"I would also like to remind people there is support on offer to anyone who is suffering this kind of abuse and if you report to Wiltshire Police we will take your report seriously."
You don’t have to be threatened with violence to be a victim of stalking.
Any kind of persistent, unwanted contact that causes distress is still stalking and can be reported to Wiltshire Police.