Stalker jailed after leaving victim living in fear

A man who harassed a woman he believed he was in a relationship with has been jailed for a year.

Jacob Malek, 31, of Merrills Avenue, Crewe, was sentenced at Warrington Magistrates' Court, after admitting a charge of stalking with fear of violence .

Along with the prison sentence, Malek was issued with a restraining order preventing him from contacting his victim.

Cheshire Police said there were also allegations he had previously forced his way into his victim's address by climbing through a bathroom window, leaving the victim in fear for her own safety and that of her children.

Police said they were called at about 00:30 GMT on 27 January to an address in Crewe, to reports a man was shouting and kicking at the door.

The victim told police Malek had been recently released from prison and had been frequently attempting to contact her by messaging her daughter on Facebook.

After he received no reply online, Malek - who was jailed on 21 March - went to the address and began shouting at her to let him in.

During his interview, Malek told officers he could see the amount of messages he sent and the fact he had previously turned up to the address unannounced on several occasions had caused her to be fearful.

However, he said he would never hurt her or want to cause her fear.

He initially entered a not-guilty plea on his first appearance in court, but later changed his plea to guilty.

Det Ch Insp Danielle Knox, said: "I do hope that, now Malek has admitted his crimes and is being held accountable for them, the victim can begin to move on with their lives without fear that he could be behind every corner or turning up to her address uninvited and forcing his way inside."

Malek would remain under the restraining order for five years, she added, meaning he will be continually monitored until 2030.

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