An Eston Stalker, Ben Strangeways, has received a term for dispatching explicit letters to various women; one letter had a threat of rape, while others contained threats to abduct, torture, rape, and murder their children.
Ben Strangeways, a 21-year-old resident of Whitby Avenue in Eston, Redcar and Cleveland, admitted guilt to a single charge of stalking with the intent to instill fear of violence, as well as many charges of transmitting messages that threatened death or serious injury.
On Thursday, June 12th, at Teesside Crown Court, Ben Strangeways received a sentence of nine years and five months in imprisonment. He was issued a lifelong restraining order and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
In a letter, Ben Strangeways informed a woman that he had been “stalking her for some time” and expressed his desire to be “prepared for my visit.”
Three victims, both local and residing elsewhere in the UK, are currently in the process of relocating owing to the fear caused by him.
Meticulous investigative efforts and forensic evidence culminated in the apprehension of Ben Strangeways in the Middlesbrough town centre, where he was discovered with a knife, handcuffs, a rope, and additional goods, all of which he referenced in one of the letters.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Lauren Joyce of Middlesbrough CID, said: “Ben Strangeways has displayed some chilling, predatory behaviour towards women and their children; these women were targeted at random and he put them in fear of their safety.
“Ben Strangeways poses a risk to women and children in Cleveland and beyond. These letters have been terrifying for those who received them, and some of the most disturbing evidence that I have dealt with as an officer.
“I would like to thank all of the victims for their courage in coming forward to report this offending and their continued support and bravery throughout the investigation and court proceedings.
“I am pleased that Ben Strangeways remains behind bars, which ensures that he doesn’t pose a risk to anyone’s safety and removes another dangerous criminal from our neighbourhoods.”
If you have been a victim of stalking or harassment, you can report this to Cleveland Police online here: https://www.cleveland.police.uk/ro/report/stalking-harassment-beta/v1/report-stalking-harassment/ or call 101 or Crimestoppers.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.