Letter: Crackdown on sick stalkers

Wendy Callan
Tuesday 10 December 1996 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: Earlier this year I found myself the victim of a hate-mail campaign and for four months I was besieged by an endless stream of sexually allusive and physically threatening material which was posted to my home, along with pornographic newspaper and magazine cuttings and a bag of unspeakable "gifts". My two young children were also threatened. Even the police were shocked at the ferocity of the attack.

I genuinely felt we were living in fear for our safety, if not our lives. I lost sleep and was forced to alter many plans in order to provide a constant level of vigilance in my home.

I truly believed this nightmare would cease when this pathetic and wicked woman was brought to justice. She pleaded guilty to five offences of sending obscene material through the post. I attended court as an observer only and was forced to listen to her eloquent solicitor give a heart-rending account of her client's impeccable character and lifelong devotion to good causes. The defendant was eventually fined a modest sum which she obligingly offered to pay off at pounds 30 per month.

My only consolation is that the Stalking Bill will hopefully be rushed through Parliament ("Sweeping penalties in new law on stalkers", 6 December), and that it will enable the courts to deal realistically with these sick and perverted characters.

WENDY CALLAN

Oxford

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in