Northampton stalker stared at victim through petrol station window until he was arrested

In April, Ian Essom repeatedly stared at his 21-year-old victim as she worked late shifts at a petrol station.

The victim noticed Essom, 40, of Ludlow Close, Northampton, looking at her through the window on several occasions.

Eventually, on one of these, when she pressed the panic alarm, the police arrived and arrested Essom who was later charged with stalking offences.

On Thursday, August 23, Essom, who had denied the offences, was found guilty of harassment at court and sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.

He was also issued a two year restraining order and must pay £2,500 in compensation.

Detective Sergeant Terry Rush, from the domestic abuse prevention and investigation team said: “Stalking and harassment are serious offences and something that has a huge impact on people’s lives.

"Essom frightened the victim so much she had to leave her job at the petrol station and became isolated in her own home. She became paranoid and would be in constant fear of where he would be at any given time.

“Northamptonshire Police takes offences of this nature very seriously and we work alongside our partners to protect people. Everyone has the right to feel safe in their own home or workplace and we will always pursue stalkers in order to bring them to justice and to return quality of life back to the victims.”