WOMAN RELIVES TERROR AS STALKER BOYFRIEND JAILED
A woman from Benfleet recounted her terrifying experience where her ex-boyfriend, Richard Copping, unexpectedly appeared inside the back of her car while she was driving to work.She described how she saw the parcel shelf rise up and a figure crawl out through the split back seats, which caused her to scream.
Although she did not recognize him immediately, she eventually identified him as her former partner.
The woman managed to escape from the car after he wouldn't let her out of the driver's door, and she shouted for help.
Copping, from Alexandra Road, Great Wakering, had previously harassed her after they ended their four-year on-off relationship in June of the previous year.
He repeatedly stalked her by sending flowers and making numerous phone calls at her home and place of work.
Despite being arrested and charged with harassment, he broke his bail conditions and was arrested on two more occasions.
The magistrates sentenced him to four months in jail after he pleaded guilty to harassment, with a magistrate describing the incident as 'terrifying' and noting there was no choice but to jail him.
The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, remains traumatised and continues to look over her shoulder, feeling betrayed by someone she once cared for.
