Man jailed over two-month stalking campaign

Joshua Allen used fake social media profiles to send his victim messages

A man has been jailed after bombarding his victim with messages and calls during a two-month campaign of stalking.

Joshua Allen rang the woman between 80 and 100 times a day and sent scores of messages via text and social media, setting up a different fake profile every time she blocked him.

The 36-year-old also sent photos suggesting he was at the same holiday camp as her – something that was later found not to be true, police said.

On Friday at Leicester Crown Court, Allen, of Heathcott Road, in Leicester, was sentenced to four years and three months' imprisonment after pleading guilty to one count of stalking involving serious alarm or distress.

Allen was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court after he admitted stalking his victim

Allen went so far as to contact people known to the victim, encouraging them to ask her to speak to him, officers said.

After making her report to police, Allen's victim told officers his actions had left her feeling concerned for her safety and also affected her mental wellbeing.

Det Con Shannon Clare said: "While stalking doesn't necessarily involve any physical harm being caused, the impact it has on a victim simply cannot be ignored.

"Nobody should have to live their life being bombarded with calls or messages from someone they want no contact with. You shouldn't have to worry what might happen any time you leave home."