Ingleton stalker jailed after fitting victim's car with a tracking device

'Manipulative' Mark Robert Stephens made his victim feel like a prisoner in her own home and followed her as she ran errands.

He has now been sentenced to two years and six months in prison at York Crown Court after pleading guilty to stalking.

The offences took place over an 18-month period and came to a head when the tracking device was discovered while the woman's car was in the garage for a routine service.

Detective Sergeant Ian Philips from North Yorkshire Police said: “Stephens is a manipulative individual who made his victim feel terrified as she continued her day-to-day life. He set about befriending members of the local community in order to turn them against her, a calculated move to increase his victim’s feelings of isolation.

“Only now that he will be serving his prison sentence can she begin to rebuild her life, knowing that she is safe.

“The victim has shown a great deal of bravery in reporting this to the police and we would encourage anyone who feels threatened by the behaviour of an individual or who is experiencing any form of stalking or harassment to get in touch with us. We are here to help and support you, no matter what you are going through.”

Stephens pleaded guilty to the charge of stalking involving serious alarm/distress. He was also issued with a lifetime restraining order to protect his victim.