Man jailed for stalking after making 10,000 calls to woman
Essex man sentenced to two years for harassment
A man who harassed a woman by making around 10,000 calls in just under two months has been sentenced to two years in prison.
The perpetrator, 22-year-old Zohaib Mehmood from Essex, was sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court after admitting to charges including stalking involving serious alarm or distress, threatening to share intimate photographs or videos, and acts intended to pervert the course of justice.
The harassment campaign occurred between September and October of last year, during which Mehmood also left 600 voicemails and attempted to contact the victim through social media and email.
On multiple occasions, he travelled 180 miles to the victim’s university accommodation in Newcastle-under-Lyme and loitered outside.
Despite threats from Mehmood to share intimate photos with her family, the victim reported the harassment, leading to a police investigation.
Mehmood was arrested and did not cooperate during police questioning.
Detective Constable Clare Horner of the public protection unit led the investigation and commended the victim's courage.
She said, “We worked hard to gather evidence against Mehmood which led to him admitting the offences in court. I would like to commend the bravery of the victim in coming forward and reporting what had happened to her, despite Mehmood’s threats. We will continue to work hard to protect victims across Staffordshire.”