MICHAEL CHOWN

MAN WHO 'DESTROYED' WOMAN THROUGH STALKING GIVEN SUSPENDED PRISON SENTENCE

A man who 'destroyed' a woman through stalking has been sentenced to 36 weeks in prison, suspended for two years.

Michael Chown, 54, of New Town, Sixpenny Handley, was sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court on November 1 after pleading guilty to stalking without fear or distress.

He was also ordered to pay a surcharge of £187, to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, to participate in an Accredited Programme for 43 days, to participate in a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of five days and given a restraining order until further notice.

Between September and November 2023, Chown made unwanted contact with his victim despite being advised by officers not to contact her.

He was seen around her address, following her through Salisbury, and contacting her by phone and letter.

In a court statement, his victim said: "When I first met Michael it was outside my house..I always assumed it was a coincidence that he was outside that day, and we just started chatting.

But now I know I was wrong ...

he had been watching me." Local crime investigator Humby stated: "Chown subjected his victim to repeated and appalling psychological abuse.

He made countless phone calls and sent unwanted texts, leaving her in constant fear and forcing her to change her routines.

The harassment was relentless and has caused her a significant amount of distress and anxiety.

We are grateful that she has shown tremendous courage in coming forward and helping us secure this sentence." He added: "There is support available for anyone suffering this kind of abuse, and reporting it to Wiltshire Police will be taken seriously.

Stalking is a pattern of unwanted, repeated behaviour that causes fear or distress, even without threats of violence.

Any persistent, unwanted contact causing such distress is unacceptable.

More information on stalking can be found here.