CAMBRIDGE MAN JAILED FOR HORRIFIC STALKING CAMPAIGN AGAINST EX-PARTNER
Daniel Dugdale is a 31-year-old man from Cambridgeshire who was convicted for orchestrating an extended and escalating campaign of harassment against his ex-partner Megan Brailsford.Following their breakup, Dugdale subjected Megan, a veterinary nurse, to months of relentless stalking and abuse, which included sending her death and rape threats, as well as other malicious messages.
The campaign of terror lasted for three months and involved disturbing actions such as telling Megan’s mother and best friend that she had died and threatening to kill her beloved Siberian husky named Ocean.
Dugdale also sent Megan pictures of dead dogs resembling Ocean via Facebook.
He attempted to ruin her career by contacting her professional body, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and asking for her removal from the register.
His harassment included silent calls every four seconds and attempts to portray himself as a victim to police and others, complicating the investigation.
In February 2023, armed police arrived at Megan’s house after a person claiming to be her posted on the police web chat, confessing to killing her children and burying them on a dog walking trail, and asking for help.
Megan, overwhelmed by fear, had to move house and change her workplace, and she has been diagnosed with depression and anxiety.
Dugdale was eventually linked to the crimes through evidence from Megan’s phone records and was arrested in March 2023.
During police interviews, he admitted to trying to hurt Megan to ensure she would need him, and he pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking involving alarm or distress and perverting the course of justice.
In April 2023, Daniel Dugdale was sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court to three years and nine months in prison for his actions.
Megan expressed her relief at his apprehension, stating, “I hope now that I’m rid of him for good, I can finally move on.
I’ve been left traumatised and was forced to move house and change my workplace.
Had he not been caught, at the rate it was all escalating, I think it would’ve gotten a lot worse.” Megan also shared her emotional struggle, saying, “I’ve been diagnosed with depression and anxiety.
I didn’t think he was clever enough to do something like this, but he’s actually a really clever man.” She described the ongoing fear she experienced and how Dugdale’s actions had a profound impact on her life, highlighting the severe consequences of his stalking and harassment campaign.
