'MY LIFE WAS MADE HELL' - VICTIM SPEAKS OUT AFTER EX-FOOTBALLER JAILED FOR STALKING
A man from Gloucester who repeatedly visited his ex-partner’s home, causing her to live in fear, has been sentenced to prison after authorities caught him in the act.Shayne Bradley, aged 41, confessed to stalking the woman over a span of four months, during which his actions caused her significant alarm and distress.
His conduct involved repeatedly being near her residence and her friend's house, making numerous phone calls, and sending abusive emails.
Due to fears about his escalating behaviour, Gloucestershire Constabulary employed surveillance techniques to monitor him.
During the case at Gloucester Crown Court, it was revealed that Bradley had also created a fake dating profile in an attempt to contact the victim.
The stalking took place from September 22, 2020, to January 29, 2021.
The woman reported seeing Bradley on several occasions in the bushes near her home, as well as him driving by or parking nearby.
Most recently, evidence indicated Bradley, a former professional footballer, approached the fence behind her property.
Bradley was detained and charged with stalking.
He pleaded guilty in March 2021, and in April was sentenced to two years and six months in prison.
He was also issued a five-year restraining order and, upon release, will be subject to license conditions.
After the sentencing, the victim publicly shared her experience to encourage others to seek help.
She stated: "We first met in September 2019 and he was a charmer and won me over, but he put himself on a pedestal and said my family and friends didn't have my best interests at heart.
"Eventually his possessive nature began to shine through and it escalated from there.
I tolerated his behaviour for a year on and off.
I knew it was never going to work, but I did care for him which was always the hard part.
"I knew that when this would end it would not be an easy ride, but little did I know he would go to the extent he did.
"After all contact ended and I changed my number, that's when he started following me and watching my house.
Events that followed will stay with me forever.
"He has always played the victim, lying and deflecting attention from himself.
The lies he told about me were horrific and he ruined my life, so it is important that people know the real Shayne Bradley...
"Once the investigation began I knew I could not give in and that I had to follow this through to the bitter end.
"I don't think he realises that his actions in the past few months have had a ripple effect on my life, my family and no doubt his family too.
"I have felt an overwhelming responsibility to put an end to his behaviour toward women.
If I can help any other woman by making them aware of this man and his cold calculated behaviour then that is good enough for me." Investigating officer Detective Constable Katie McGurk, who led the investigation, commented: "These type of offences strike fear and lasting emotional and psychological damage and this has been emphasised by the victim personal statement bravely read out by the victim today.
"Having to change your everyday tasks and not feeling safe is horrific and something that will probably always stay with the victim.
I hope that the result will offer her some closure and that the restraining order provides her with some reassurance.
Joanne Pearce, a Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS South West, said: "Shayne Bradley demonstrated that he was an abusive man who refused to accept his relationship with the victim was over.
We see cases time and time again where defendants are not allowing their ex-partners to move on with their lives.
"This obsessive behaviour is abuse, pure and simple.
We hope that successful prosecutions like this will encourage stalking victims not to suffer in silence, and reassure them that the police and CPS take all such allegations extremely seriously."
