A 46-year-old man who used false identities to stalk a 16-year-old girl for almost two years has been jailed. David Irving’s behaviour became increasingly bizarre and sinister during the campaign of harassment, leaving his victim and her family scared and disturbed.
His behaviour also led to three innocent people being arrested but they were later released with no further action.
It began when he sent an anonymous letter to the victim’s father in November 2021 containing an edited image from her Instagram account.
He also sent anonymous letters to the headmaster of the victim’s school containing false claims about her and put up notes and posters outside the school.
He sent her family anonymous letters and birthday and Valentine’s Day cards.
Irving used fake names and email addresses to contact the victim and her family, even claiming he would contact the police because he felt harassed.
In May last year, the victim received an envelope containing what appeared to be faeces and the following month Irving sent various emails using a false name to police making false allegations about the victim.
In August, Irving turned up at the victim’s family home wearing a balaclava and carrying a brick and carved an abusive message into a fence.
CCTV revealed Irving has actually attended the house about 40 times and he was arrested on 24 August after detectives linked his electronic devices to the email addresses and text messages.
On Wednesday (24 January), at Cambridge Crown Court, Irving, of Beaumont Road, Cambridge, was jailed for six years, having pleaded guilty to three counts of stalking, perverting the course of justice, possessing cannabis and criminal damage, for which he received no separate penalty.
He was also handed an indefinite restraining order.
DC Matthew Lander said: “This was a shocking case which has had a profound impact on the victim and her family. It left them with severe mental anguish and feeling unsafe in their own home so I would like to thank them for their bravery in helping us with a prosecution.
“His behaviour also led to another family undergoing much stress and anxiety.
“Irving should be ashamed of the damage he has done, and I am delighted he is behind bars for a long time.”
