Brighton phone threat stalker jailed for 13 years

Ameer Tahir admitted a string of stalking offences at Lewes Crown Court

A stalker who police said targeted almost 60 women with threatening calls has been jailed at Lewes Crown Court.

Ameer Tahir, 41, of Brighton, admitted a string of offences at a previous hearing in January and went on to admit others after more victims came forward.

Police said Tahir, of Kings Road, targeted women at all times of the day and night with obscene, violent threats including rape, from 2021 to 2022.

Tahir was ordered to serve 13 years - nine in custody and four on licence.

The court heard how one victim was woken by a call in the early hours while sleeping next to her husband. When she put him on speakerphone, so her husband could hear, the threats of sexual violence were extreme. Tahir continued calling, including when the police were there, the court was told.

Another victim said Tahir knew her name and described her body shape. She said all unknown calls now trigger anxiety and panic.

A further victim statement said: "I live alone. Now I always look over my shoulder.

"He repeated my name over and over in a low, creepy, whispering voice."

Sentencing, Judge Van der Zwart said Tahir conducted a "campaign of terrorising women", that had profound, long-lasting effects.

He said: "I'm satisfied you caused them very significant psychological harm."

None of the victims can be identified for legal reasons.

'Psychological torment'

Officers described how Tahir accessed the contact details of many victims through mutual acquaintances and his job in the hospitality industry - which meant he could torment them with personal details such as their names, appearances and other private information.

Police said he called his victims from a withheld number on a mobile phone and continued to target women while on bail, using a second mobile phone.

In January, Tahir pleaded guilty to 12 counts of stalking, two counts of sending communication conveying indecent/offensive messages, racially aggravated stalking, failure to comply with the sex offenders' register and possession of a Class B drug.

Following that hearing, further investigation uncovered 44 additional victims. They were taken into consideration upon sentencing.

After Tahir was jailed, investigator Lucia Calandriello said he had "terrorised" women across the UK, "subjecting them to vile, misogynistic threats of violence, rape and other violations."

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said he "put his victims through psychological torment", adding: "He abused his working position to gain information that caused distress and turmoil to dozens of women and thought he could get away with it by simply withholding his telephone number."

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