MAN SENTENCED FOR STALKING WOMAN
A 42-year-old man received a five-year prison sentence after admitting to a prolonged stalking campaign against a woman who has a significant social media presence.The individual, identified as Marc Stevenson and formerly residing in Halifax, initially contacted the woman on Instagram in May 2024, informing her that someone had created a fake profile on an online platform using her photographs but under a different name.
The woman responded to Stevenson, confirming that the profile was not hers, and did not pursue the matter further at that time.
Nonetheless, this marked the beginning of a ten-month period during which Stevenson engaged in persistent stalking behavior.
Throughout this period, he repeatedly messaged her on Google Chat, operated multiple fake accounts to monitor her, her partner, and friends, and sent her numerous explicit messages.
Starting from September 2024, his actions intensified when he identified where she and her partner worked and contacted their employers.
By December, his messages grew more threatening, with statements such as “I am going to teach you a lesson,” “I will punish you,” and even “I want to marry you.” At one point, he sent an email claiming to have secured a new job closer to her and announced he was moving house to become her neighbor.
The woman reported Stevenson to Northamptonshire Police, leading to his arrest in January.
Despite being released on bail, he continued his offending behaviour, once approaching her while she was shopping.
He was subsequently charged with stalking that caused fear of violence, serious alarm or distress, and was remanded into custody.
After admitting guilt at Northampton Magistrates' Court on January 18, his case was transferred to Northampton Crown Court.
On October 24, Stevenson was sentenced to five years in prison and was given an indefinite restraining order to prevent further contact.
