STALKER THREATENED TO SET WOMAN ON FIRE IN TERRIFYING ORDEAL
A man who became obsessed with a trainee pharmacist issued frightening threats against her, causing her to fear for her safety and worry that he might kill her.Ali Asghar, who worked in a shop beside the pharmacy where she was employed in Birmingham, approached her once and handed her a note asking for her phone number.
Prosecutor David Bennett explained at Birmingham's crown court that the 31-year-old woman declined to give her contact details, after which Asghar began following her home to her parents' residence, where she was living at the time.
He continued to visit her home regularly and made false accusations against her, prompting her to contact police and resulting in a restraining order issued in November 2017 to prevent him from stalking her.
For some time, the victim had no contact with Asghar, but police informed her that he continued calling them, making allegations against her, and expressing intentions to kill her.
Mr Bennett detailed that on March 5 this year, Asghar made multiple calls to authorities and visited Bournville Lane police station, where he threatened to stab her, was abusive, and falsely claimed she was a police officer and stalking him.
Early the next morning at 12.34am, Asghar contacted police again, reporting that he was outside her parents' house in Edgbaston and intended to douse her with petrol, set her on fire, and destroy her windows.
Officers responded to the scene and found Asghar in the driver’s seat of his red Nissan Note.
After he refused to exit the vehicle, they broke the windows and discovered a hammer and brick inside.
The victim stated she was "terrified" by his actions, describing him as "unhinged," and noted that her parents had cut short their holiday and she had moved away from Birmingham following the incident.
During sentencing, Recorder Adineke Balogun emphasized the seriousness of the threats, which included killings and arson, and stated they had affected her personal life, work, studies to become a pharmacist, and her relationships.
Asghar, 45, of Storrs Close, Small Heath, was sentenced to a two-year community order and ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work.
The judge noted her consideration of Asghar’s mental health and expressed concern that imprisonment might lead to him repeating his actions.
Asghar had previously admitted breaching a restraining order.
Defense solicitor Nicole Steers described Asghar as very unwell at the time, framing his actions as a plea for help, and confirmed he had not directly contacted the victim.
