STALKER WHO MADE NEIGHBOUR’S LIFE A ‘MISERY’ IS JAILED
A woman who subjected her neighbour to a relentless stream of messages, letters, and gifts over a ten-month span has been sentenced to prison.Sarah Stables, of Hest View Road, Ulverston, left her neighbour feeling trapped in her own home, Preston Crown Court heard.
The harassment, which took place between June 2022 and March 2023, made the complainant feel like “a prisoner in her own home” and deeply impacted her sense of safety.
Prosecutor Paul Cummings told the court that Stables admitted during a police interview that she was “obsessed” with her neighbour, and even confessed she was “in love” with her.
Stables moved into her property in 2018, but it wasn't until June 2022 that the behaviour escalated.
The court heard it began when she asked the complainant whether her daughter could visit to see her dog.
In one instance, in July, Stables sent a message saying, “we would be lost without you,” and left a card and a gift on the doorstep labelled “best neighbour ever”.
Mr Cummings said that as the volume of messages increased, the complainant became increasingly uncomfortable and began ignoring Stables' WhatsApp communications.
Eventually, the complainant sent a message explaining that she didn’t “hate” Stables but found the constant texts overwhelming, citing her busy life.
The court was told that in August, after the complainant responded to a message by saying she was busy, Stables replied with: “I wish I was dead now.
I know that you hate me.” It was at this point the complainant contacted the police.
Although she blocked Stables and changed her phone number, the harassment continued.
Mr Cummings said the defendant used other phones and Facebook to reach out, even messaging the complainant’s mother and sister.
On at least one occasion, she was seen peering through the complainant’s window.
The court was read parts of the victim impact statement, in which the complainant said: “I have become a prisoner in my own home.
I dread coming home from work.
I resent my home because I cannot get away from her.
“I feel like I am living in hell.
It is a nightmare.
I do not feel safe in my own home.
I have my doors locked at all times because I am scared that she will get in.
“When I step out of my house, I feel like I am being watched.
“I feel like she has taken advantage of my caring and friendly nature.” The court also heard that Stables had a previous conviction from 2019 for a similar offence involving another individual, for which she received an eight-week suspended sentence.
In mitigation, defence solicitor David Trainor urged the court not to impose immediate custody.
He argued: “If you locked her up, there is likely going to be a deterioration in her mental health and she will no longer be able to access the support she is receiving in the community.
“If you give her one more chance, she knows it will be the last chance.
“Her daughter has learning difficulties and lives part-time with her and part-time with her former partner.
The child struggles with change and emotional regulation, but is coping as best she can.
“She still resides next door to the complainant, although the property was sold two months ago and she is expected to move within the next month.
“In my respectful submission, there is a realistic chance of rehabilitation.
She is capable of leading a law-abiding life if her circumstances remain stable.” However, His Honour Judge Darren Preston said that immediate custody was the only appropriate sentence.
Jailing Stables for 12 months, he said: “You made her life a misery.
You claimed you were in love with her, which only made matters worse.
“A person’s home is where they should feel safe and secure.
You stripped that away from her.
“The emotional toll, the stress and anxiety you caused, may never be fully understood.
“I accept you have bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, which contribute to difficulties with relationships, social integration, and self-esteem.
Nevertheless, your conduct displayed delusional thinking and obsessive behaviour that crossed clear boundaries.” A restraining order was also imposed, prohibiting any further contact with the victim.
