MAN WHO FOLLOWED EX-GIRLFRIEND JAILED FOR STALKING
A man who subjected his former partner to a stalking campaign across Peterborough by following her in his car has been sentenced to prison.Joaquim Tavares, 49, of Limetree Avenue, Millfield, Peterborough, began tailing his ex-girlfriend after their three-year relationship ended.
He was caught on CCTV and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras repeatedly loitering near her vehicle and following her movements.
On November 5th of the previous year, the victim saw Tavares’ vehicle parked across the road from her usual café after she left.
She entered again and called a friend to watch her car as she headed towards her own vehicle.
She later recorded the parked car and told her manager she suspected she was being followed.
Two days later, Tavares was observed once more waiting close to the café and trailing her to her place of work.
As he followed her, he honked his horn multiple times, flashed his headlights, and shouted from his car window.
On November 13th, he approached her as she walked to her vehicle, wound down his window, but she hurried back to the café and contacted emergency services.
Police arrested him near the café on Whalley Street, Eastfield.
He was found in possession of a knuckleduster in his car’s door pocket and was noted to be driving without a license or insurance.
In police interviews, Tavares denied stalking, citing various reasons for being in the area, such as visiting a friend, purchasing paracetamol, or stopping to change music on his phone.
He was charged with stalking causing significant worry or distress and, having earlier pleaded guilty to possessing the knuckleduster and driving offences, was convicted in September.
On October 16th, he received a one-year prison sentence and was issued a restraining order at Cambridge Crown Court.
Detective Constable George Corney, who led the case, stated: “This ordeal was very upsetting for the victim, who demonstrated bravery by reporting and providing evidence.
Stalking is a serious crime, and law enforcement will continue to address such behaviour firmly.”
