Stalker plagued woman via Facebook and with over 300 phone calls

Cory Bryan, 22, of Limes Avenue, Alfreton, left his victim feeling like she was being watched all the time and wondering what he might do to her, according to a Chesterfield magistrates’ court hearing.

Prosecuting solicitor Becky Allsop told the hearing on Tuesday, March 28: “The victim has never had a relationship with the defendant who is the son of a neighbour and the defendant had been living at this address at various times.

“While the charge refers to a short duration there is a substantial history to this offence with a police caution for harassment and that followed four years of unwanted contact which escalated.”

Bryan used his sister’s Facebook account and set up false profiles to make contact causing distress, according to Mrs Allsop, and there were mobile phone calls and knocking on walls at bedtime.

Mrs Allsop added that the victim, of Stonebroom, received messages to her Facebook account and via her sister’s Facebook account in relation to unfounded and false accusations that men visiting the victim’s home were sleeping with her.

The court heard how Bryan also set up two false Facebook accounts so he could send posts to the victim and he was found to have a Facebook password sniper programme on his mobile phone which can be used for hacking.

A complaint was made to the police who tracked Bryan down and had to chase him on foot before he was arrested and his mobile phone was seized with evidence of calls and Facebook messages to his victim.

Bryan admitted sending messages, using fake Facebook profiles and he admitted being obsessed with what the victim was doing via Facebook on a daily basis.

The defendant pleaded guilty to stalking from between December 19 and February 1 by using false Facebook profiles to make unwanted contact and making 337 calls from his mobile phone.

The victim stated that after Bryan targeted her she could not relax in her home because he was watching her and when she received Facebook messages she got palpitations and felt sick.

She added that she has also been concerned about the distress caused to her 78-year-old mother who lives with her.

Defence solicitor Paul McLeod said Bryan has mental health issues with depression and anxiety.

Magistrates committed the case for sentencing at Derby Crown Court on April 25.

Bryan was released on conditional bail on the grounds he does not contact the victim, go to her street and does not use internet enablers.