STALKER ANDREW MAY, CAMBORNE JAILED
Two women and their families were subjected to a relentless campaign of fear and intimidation by a stalker, described in court as having created “truly chilling” circumstances that left both victims fearing for their safety.At Truro Crown Court, it was heard that Andrew May, from Camborne, inflicted a prolonged campaign of harassment against one woman and developed an unhealthy obsession with another—ultimately forcing her to relocate to protect herself.
May admitted two charges of stalking involving serious alarm and distress, spanning periods of 21 and 16 months respectively.
He also pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis.
Prosecutor Michael Brown told the court that in the case of the first woman, May, aged 52, carried out what he described as “malicious harassment...
at all hours,” to such an extent that the woman installed CCTV at her property.
His conduct included following her, keeping watch on her activities, and causing damage not only to her belongings but also to property owned by members of her family.
He was verbally abusive and at times attempted to incite members of the public to direct abuse towards her as well.
Among several acts of vandalism, May was said to have thrown paint stripper and PVA glue over her car, pulled plants from her garden, and defaced her father’s front wall with an offensive word sprayed in paint.
In contrast, his behaviour towards the second victim reflected what Mr Brown described as an “utterly obsessive infatuation.” May repeatedly left unwelcome gifts and sweets for the woman and her family, and made persistent, uninvited visits to her home—on one occasion reportedly turning up as many as 12 times in a single day.
She once discovered him hiding in her garden.
Mr Brown recounted one particularly disturbing incident where May remained on her property for a lengthy period, later apologising for having “a whack on her doorstep.” On another occasion, he forced his way inside through a rear door panel, rifled through a family photo album, and took a set of internal door keys, an air rifle, and a toolbox—all of which were later recovered by police from under the floorboards of May’s home.
Out of fear, the woman began turning off her lights and television to give the impression that no one was home.
Ultimately, she felt compelled to move house—an emotionally difficult decision that also meant rehoming the family dogs, as pets were not allowed at the new address.
In a victim impact statement, one of the women shared: “I’ve tried to be always strong, but the truth is I still feel entirely broken by this.
“The period of [May being on] remand was peaceful but I couldn’t switch off.
I thought, ‘What if he gets out?
I think this time he will kill me’.” She added that she would “never forgive him” for the trauma he inflicted upon her and her vulnerable family members.
The second victim said that May had severely disrupted her and her family’s lives.
“He would create a relationship with me in his head.
My mum had to come and stay with me because I was terrified to be on my own.
“I’ve had recurring nightmares and dreams that I’m trapped in a house with him and can’t get out.” Speaking in mitigation, Ramsay Quaife said that while May had initially entered not guilty pleas, his later admissions had spared the victims and witnesses the stress of going through a trial.
“Mr May presents as sorry for his offending and the impact this had on his victims,” said Mr Quaife.
“He fell into a hole and did precisely the wrong things to get himself out of that hole.
His drug use increased and, as a result, his mental health deteriorated.
“In the words of the pre-sentence report, he suffered from ‘compulsive thinking’,” he added, noting this was “not meant as an excuse.” Mr Quaife said that May was now free from drug use.
Passing sentence, Judge Simon Carr told May: “The circumstances of these offences are truly chilling.
“Although you have shown a degree of remorse, there is some evidence of not understanding the harm you caused.” May was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for each stalking offence, along with an additional eight months for the cannabis charge, to be served concurrently—totalling six years.
He must serve at least half before being released on licence.
Judge Carr also imposed an indefinite restraining order, barring May from contacting either woman.
