DUNDEE WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO STALKING ; MALE VICTIM SPEAKS OUT
In a powerful and candid statement, a male victim of stalking has shared his personal experience to raise awareness about an issue that is still rarely discussed—male victims of stalking.His account follows the criminal proceedings in which Dundee woman Jemma Cartmill pleaded guilty to stalking on 03-12-2025 and is due to be sentenced on 03-03-2026.
The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, explained that for a long time he did not recognise the relentless behaviour he was enduring as stalking.
What he initially struggled to understand has since been formally acknowledged by the court through the offender’s guilty plea.
He describes a series of disturbing and invasive acts that left him living in fear and questioning his safety.
“Stalking is something I never thought I’d experience,” he said.
“For a long time, I struggled to understand what was happening to me and didn’t know how to describe it.
It’s a pattern of behaviour that is persistent and deliberate, and it can happen to anyone—male or female.” The subsequent guilty plea, he says, confirmed that what he experienced was not imagined or exaggerated, but criminal.
His experience included the use of tracking devices concealed in personal items, a different vehicle hired to follow him, and the terrifying realisation that he was being watched both at home and in public spaces.
“I was repeatedly followed to different locations.
These weren’t isolated incidents.
It was a sustained campaign of control and surveillance.” These behaviours now form part of the conduct admitted in court.
The psychological toll of being stalked was profound.
“The impact on my mental health was severe.
I lived with constant anxiety and stress, never knowing when I was being watched or followed.
I lost the sense of safety that most people take for granted, even in my own home.
I became hyper-vigilant, changed my routines, and was constantly questioning my surroundings.” He notes that while the guilty plea brought validation, it does not undo the lasting harm.
For him, one of the hardest aspects was the internal struggle to admit he was a victim.
“As a man, it was difficult to admit that I was afraid or affected.
Society often assumes that men should be able to cope, or that stalking is something that only happens to women.
There’s a misconception that male victims are less credible.
Those assumptions made me feel isolated and delayed my ability to seek help.” The case, he hopes, challenges those assumptions.
He emphasised that stalking is not about gender, but about control.
“The psychological harm doesn’t depend on who the victim is.
It’s about power and control over another person.
The impact can be just as harmful for men as it is for women, and the fear is just as real.” The offender’s admission of guilt, he says, reinforces that reality.
By choosing to speak publicly ahead of sentencing, he hopes to help other men recognise the signs of stalking and understand that their experiences are valid.
“I want other men to know they are not alone.
Stalking doesn’t discriminate.
If you are experiencing this, it’s not a sign of weakness to speak out.
Acknowledging harm is the first step toward safety and recovery.” He adds that while sentencing is still pending, accountability matters.
“A guilty plea does not erase what happened, but it does matter.
It sends a message that stalking is serious, that men can be victims, and that this behaviour has consequences.”
