MAN JAILED FOR STALKING AND MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER
An isolated and lonely man stalked a woman after developing an unhealthy infatuation with her, a court heard.Mathew Alcock, 39, of Dovecote Road, Eastwood, sent her a stream of text messages, some at night, Nottingham Crown Court was told.
The impact of his disturbing behaviour has been "profound and long-term," said Judge Gregory Dickinson QC, the Recorder of Nottingham, on Thursday, June 9.
"I have no way of knowing whether it would help or make it worse for the victim of the offence to be made aware he was suffering from mental illness and it was that, rather than cold, calculated aggression, which caused him to behave in this way".
After sending the text messages, the overall affect of this was "very intimidating", added the judge.
"It wasn't intended to be, but that was the affect of it and, inevitably, she became increasingly anxious and worried and frightened to be alone at her place of work".
READ MORE: Woman wipes away tears in court over alleged step son murder Alcock's conduct deteriorated further and he made false reports the woman was subject to domestic violence, which she "most certainly" was not, said the judge.
That led to the intervention of police and Alcock was arrested and charged.
The defendant was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
From prison he was transferred to a psychiatric unit where he remains.
The judge said: "He is actually in a worst state now than he was at the time of the offence.
If the defendant were to be produced before the court for the first time today, he would not be fit to plead." "But he was fit to enter a plea at the magistrates' court on April 8, 2021, where he admitted stalking.
The offence was during the period from the middle of February to late March 2021., and committed to this court for sentence".
Digby Johnson, mitigating, said it was a great shame the victim came across him at a point in his life where he was isolated, lonely and becoming more and more introverted and fixated.
"Sadly, she became the subject of that fixation," he added.
He stressed that his client is still unwell and it was not really possible to talk to him about the victim, about where he used to live and the circumstances about the case in any detail, said Mr Johnson.
Alcock, who lived in Eastwood habitually, has lost his tenancy since the offence.
Due to his mental health disorder, the judge, in his absence, imposed a hospital order under the Mental Health Act.
He will remain at a low secure unit in Lincoln.
A restraining order was made for ten years with conditions.
