BCL Partner, David Hardstaff, discusses the effectiveness of current stalking laws, using the recent case involving broadcaster Myleene Klass to illustrate a key point: the legislation already works when it is properly enforced.
The case, which led to the conviction of offender Peter Windsor at Birmingham Crown Court, highlighted a troubling four-year campaign of unwanted letters and gifts. Also demonstrating that the stalking offences introduced in 2012 drafted deliberately and appropriately broad, provide courts with sufficient scope to identify, charge, and prosecute stalking behaviour.
David highlights that the real problem lies not with the law itself but with inconsistent application. The Klass investigation was successful in large part because police committed specialist resources, including DNA testing, to the case. For most victims, this level of attention is far from typical.
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