JONATHAN FRANKLIN

STALKER USED LISTENING DEVICE HIDDEN INSIDE PHONE CHARGER TO SPY ON VICTIM

A man described as a 'devious stalker' was jailed after installing a listening device inside a phone charger to spy on his victim.

Jonathan Franklin, 36, from Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, handed the altered charger to the woman with the purpose of secretly listening to her at her home.

During the period from August 2021 to February 2022, Franklin communicated with her via messages that included details of what he had heard, leading her to feel unsafe.

Her suspicions grew, and she eventually identified the device.

PC Jak Shephard, the officer overseeing the case, praised the victim’s courage, stating: "This was a particularly disturbing case where a devious stalker went to extreme lengths to invade his victim’s privacy.

"Not only that, he then went on to cause her huge fear and distress by relaying details of her private life to her in his messages, making her own home feel like an unsafe place for her to be.

"I am reassured that he is off our streets and unable to continue tormenting his victim." Franklin pleaded guilty to stalking charges and was sentenced to two years in prison.

He was also subject to a restraining order banning him from contact for five years.