'Dangerous manipulator' posed as woman's jailed ex

Andrew Philip Russell was jailed at York Crown Court last week

A "dangerous manipulator" tormented a woman for almost two years by posing as her jailed ex-partner and making her fear for her life, police said.

Andrew Philip Russell's stalking included tracking devices, fake social media accounts, hacking attempts and break-ins, North Yorkshire Police said, forcing the woman and her children to move home several times.

At York Crown Court on 21 November, Russell, 35, from Pontefract, was jailed for five years and four months after admitting stalking involving serious alarm or distress.

In a statement read to the court, the victim said: "He manipulated, controlled and inflicted emotional and psychological damage that has left deep scars on our lives."

Russell was in a relationship with another woman when he began to stalk the victim, who lived in the Selby area at the time.

The victim initially believed she was being stalked by a jailed ex-partner, police said.

It was actually Russell who was pretending to be her ex-partner, officers said, sending her threats and telling her that he was "angry at being in prison".

On one occasion the victim came home to find her house had been broken into and her wi-fi and security cameras had been disabled.

'Constant fear'

In a victim impact statement, the woman said Russell's stalking had had a "profound effect" on her mental health and "ability to function day-to-day".

"Living in constant fear, uncertainty, and instability has caused significant emotional distress to me and my children," she said.

"The repeated upheaval and the responsibility of shielding my children from harm while coping with my own trauma has been overwhelming."

Det Sgt Michelle Neighbour, of North Yorkshire Police's stalking support team, said the case demonstrated "the incredible lengths" stalking perpetrators will go to.

"Her life and that of her children have been turned upside down and completely disrupted by the actions of Russell, yet she had faith that justice would be served," she said.

"I thank her for that as a dangerous manipulator is now behind bars."

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