Stalker Andrew May, Camborne jailed for 'chilling' crimes

Truro Crown Court heard that Andrew May inflicted a reign of terror against one and became “infatuated” with the other, which ultimately led to her moving house to prevent him from finding her.

May, from Camborne, pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking involving serious alarm and distress, over the course of 21 months and 16 months respectively. He also admitted cultivation of cannabis.

Prosecutor Michael Brown said that in the case of the first woman, 52-year-old May had launched “malicious harassment towards her, at all hours of the day and night,” to the point she installed CCTV.

His behaviour included monitoring her movements, following her and damaging her property, as well as that belonging to her wider family.

He verbally abused her and tried to encourage passersby to do the same.

May thew paint stripper and PVA glue over her car, ripped up plants from the front of her house and spray painted her father’s front wall with an abusive word.

His attitude towards the other woman was in direct contrast, putting her on the receiving end of his “utterly obsessive infatuation,” said Mr Brown.

May would leave unwanted gifts and sweets for her and her family. He would turn up at her house, sometimes 12 times a day, and once she found him hiding in her garden.

“One particularly troubling occasion involved him on her property for some considerable time period, only to then apologise for ‘having a whack on her doorstep’,” said Mr Brown.

On another occasion he forced his way into the house via a rear door panel, looked through a family photo album and took the keys to the internal doors, as well as an air rifle and toolbox. These were later found by police, hidden under May’s floorboards.

It got to the point that the woman would turn off the lights and the TV, to make it appear she was not at home.

Eventually she felt there was no alternative but to move house, heartbreakingly having to rehome the family dogs in the process as pets were not allowed in the new property.

Andrew May was jailed for six years (Image: Devon and Cornwall Police)

In victim impact statements, one woman said: “I’ve tried to be always strong, but the truth is I still feel entirely broken by this.

“The period of [May being on] remand was peaceful but I couldn’t switch off. I thought, ‘What if he gets out? I think this time he will kill me’.”

She added that she would “never forgive him” for the long-last impact he had caused on her and vulnerable family members.

The other woman said she and her family had been “deeply affected” by May’s actions.

“He would create a relationship with me in his head. My mum had to come and stay with me because I was terrified to be on my own.

“I’ve had recurring nightmares and dreams that I’m trapped in a house with him and can’t get out,” she said.

Ramsay Quaife, speaking on behalf of May, said that despite initially pleading not guilty, by changing his plea now he prevented the victims and witnesses having to face the ordeal of giving evidence at a trial.

“Mr May presents as sorry for his offending and the impact this had on his victims.

“He fell into a hole and did precisely the wrong things to get himself out of that hole. His drug use increased and the knock-on effect what that his mental health became fragile.

“He had, in the words of the pre-sentencing report, ‘Compulsive thinking’,” said Mr Quaife, who added that this was “not meant as an excuse.”

He added that May was now clear of all drugs.

Judge Simon Carr told May: “The circumstances of these offences are truly chilling.

“Although you have shown a degree of remorse, there is some evidence of not understanding the harm you caused.”

He sentenced May to three years in prison for each offence of stalking, with a further eight months for the cannabis offence, which would run concurrently, making a total of six years imprisonment.

He will serve at least half before being released on licence.

Judge Carr also issued a restraining without time limit, preventing May from contacting either woman.