EAST LONDON WOMAN GUILTY OF STALKING PSYCHIATRIST AND FIANCEE FOR FOUR YEARS
A woman named Maria Del Carmen Marchese, aged 45 and residing in Bow, east London, was convicted of persistently harassing psychiatrist Dr.Falkowski and his then-fiancé, Deborah Pemberton, over a period of four years.
Her harassment involved a series of threatening phone calls and text messages, in which she claimed to have hired a hitman to murder Ms.
Pemberton, threatened to poison guests at her wedding, and falsely accused Dr.
Falkowski of rape.
Specific threats directed at Ms.
Pemberton included chilling statements such as "Dig your own grave," "Your life will end, gunman paid," and "Bang, bang, bang is all you deserve." She also warned that she would be "burnt down in her wedding dress" and threatened to poison the food at the wedding reception, which led to the couple calling off their engagement.
Ms.
Pemberton revealed that the intimidation made her consider taking her own life.
As part of her false allegations, Marchese fabricated a DNA sample—transferring semen onto her underwear—which resulted in Dr.
Falkowski’s suspension and caused lasting harm to his reputation.
He described this impact as "devastating." During the trial, Marchese denied her actions, stating, "I did not commit this offence your honour, he's a rapist," but Judge John Price informed her that the jury had convicted her of harassment, threats to kill, and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
She was warned of the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence.
The sentencing hearing was delayed until September to include psychiatric assessments.
Following the verdict, Dr.
Falkowski voiced his relief and called for the extension of anonymity protections in rape cases for the accused until the trial, criticizing the existing system, which he felt allowed false accusations to tarnish reputations.
