STALKER JAILED AFTER TERRIFYING SHOP WORKER
A man from Newtown described as ‘unbalanced’ has been sentenced to prison after obsessively stalking a shop worker and assaulting her boyfriend.Tegan Fletcher, aged 29, dramatically jumped over the shop counter in September last year, delivering a love letter to a colleague of the victim.
Subsequently, he attacked her partner in the car park of Newtown Library, claiming that divine intervention had prompted him to issue a warning.
Authorities detained Fletcher at his Ceiriog residence, discovering further troubling items, such as religious texts.
During a courtroom hearing on May 6, Mold Crown Court revealed that the victim’s name appeared on nearly every page of notes at Fletcher’s address, in which he expressed love and a desire to wash her hair.
Fletcher initially denied wrongdoing but pleaded guilty on the day of trial regarding charges of stalking causing serious distress, assault, and possessing a knife.
Prosecutor Jade Tufail outlined that these incidents occurred between January and September last year.
According to Ms Tufail, Fletcher’s persistent attention became unwelcome, taking on an unsettling pattern from April when he started to visit more frequently and stood out among regular customers.
The situation escalated on September 22, when Fletcher visited the shop premises outside of working hours.
He inquired about the victim’s whereabouts, then leapt over the counter carrying a handwritten, ribbon-tied note.
The note, expressing love and including contact details, was regarded as concerning.
Fletcher additionally sent a friend request on Facebook and monitored her activities on Instagram, making her feel watched.
On September 24, the victim’s boyfriend rang her in distress, warning her to secure her home as Fletcher was outside.
The assault incident involved Fletcher becoming aggressive in the library car park, grabbing the boyfriend by his hoodie and threatening to kill him, claiming divine instructions had prompted him to issue a warning.
He then wondered aloud to God about what to do next.
Fletcher’s arrest followed after he appeared at the victim’s residence, where she recorded a video asking him to leave.
The next day, a friend reported Fletcher was again outside her home, triggering a panic attack.
Police searched Fletcher’s house, finding additional disturbing materials including pages of notes about the victim, religious artifacts, and references to love and washing her hair.
His name was present across much of this material.
Defence lawyer Cathryn Elvin emphasised Fletcher’s previous good character and childhood difficulties, noting this was his first time in custody.
She mentioned his intention to resume volunteer work in the community upon release.
Judge Robert Philpotts sentenced Fletcher to 18 months in prison and issued a restraining order preventing contact with the victim.
The court also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of a lock-knife and cannabis found at Fletcher’s property.
