Stalker who followed woman to Paris is jailed

STALKER WHO FOLLOWED WOMAN TO PARIS IS JAILED

A man who stalked a woman including following her to Paris has been sentenced to prison and issued a 10-year restraining order.

Oscar Romero, 44 years old from St Albans, pleaded guilty to stalking behavior that caused considerable alarm or distress.

He was sentenced today at Kingston Upon Thames Crown Court to 20 weeks’ imprisonment and was granted a restraining order that lasts for a decade.

For nearly two years, from March 22, 2023, to January 3, 2025, Romero engaged in persistent stalking of the victim.

His actions involved appearing at various workplaces in London and even traveling to Paris on one occasion.

He made numerous social media contacts with her, asking to know her location, expressing a wish to meet, and declaring his love.

Romero was detained by police after the victim called for assistance when he confronted her once more in Nine Elms in January.

During the incident, he claimed he was not a 'crazy stalker' and refused to leave her alone, attempting to convince her to join him for coffee.

Peter Shergill, representing the Crown Prosecution Service, stated: “This type of offence is unacceptable and can be deeply distressing and frightening for victims.

“It can force women to change their everyday lives, as this victim explained in her statement which revealed how she was too frightened to go into London for fear of encountering Romero.

She became scared to leave her home and even felt the need to alter her appearance.

“It is vital that women and girls feel safe when going about their lives.

The Crown Prosecution Service is determined to deliver justice for victims of stalking and harassment.

“We hope today’s sentence provides some comfort to the victim after what must have been an extremely distressing period of time.”