NEWHAM MAN JAILED FOR STALKING
A case of unmanageable infatuation led to a two-year imprisonment for Andrew Costa-Freeman, aged 24, a resident of Lonsdale Avenue in Newham.The prosecution was the result of extensive police work conducted at the Stalking Threat Assessment Centre (STAC).
Costa-Freeman appeared before Snaresbrook Crown Court on August 8th, where he pleaded guilty to stalking that caused significant fear or distress, as well as violating a court order prohibiting contact.
The relationship began four years prior when mutual friends introduced him to his victim.
They communicated via WhatsApp, but when Costa-Freeman expressed romantic interest, the woman asked him to cease contact.
Despite her request, he persisted in messaging her.
Initially, she ignored his messages, but as they continued, she took further steps to protect herself.
In response, police issued Costa-Freeman a harassment warning in March, yet he persisted in messaging her.
On March 29th, he appeared in East London Magistrates Court, where he received a suspended sentence and was subject to a restraining order forbidding him from contacting the woman.
Despite this court order, he disregarded it by creating multiple accounts to continue messaging her.
During one week in May, he sent over 500 messages, some aggressive and others sexually explicit.
He was detained at the end of May and later appeared again at East London Magistrates Court, admitting the charges.
Ultimately, he was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court last week.
PC Lindsey Monk of STAC stated, “Costa-Freeman’s actions deeply affected the victim’s daily life.
She believed she could regain her normal routine after the initial conviction, but his continued pursuit worsened her distress.” Detective Inspector Lee Barnard, the lead of STAC, emphasised, “This case is another example of how devastating an impact offences sometimes feel that they have no control of the situation, and often don’t know where to turn and when to seek help.
The Met takes all stalking allegations very seriously, and the sooner we know, the sooner we can act and deal with the perpetrator, and provide the necessary support to those affected.”
