STALKER JAILED AFTER ENTERING VICTIM'S HOME THREE TIMES WHILE SHE WAS IN BED
A man has been sentenced to prison after persistently stalking a woman he initially met on a dating website and offering to pay her for sex.Sheffield Crown Court was told on December 22 that Craig Lawrence, 46, of Oakroyd Crescent, Grimethorpe, Barnsley, met the woman only four times over two weeks through the online platform before his behavior escalated over a period of eight years.
Prosecutor Richard Davies revealed that Lawrence entered her home three times while she was in bed and shone a flashlight through her windows on two separate occasions.
In 2016, he reportedly entered her home again while she was in bed with her partner.
Additionally, Lawrence drove past her in Doncaster town centre and asked if she wanted sex.
Even after relocating, the victim was shocked to find Lawrence at her doorstep in 2018.
He visited her on two or three occasions that August, according to the prosecution.
Mr Davies also described an incident in October 2018 when Lawrence entered her bedroom while intoxicated, at a time when the woman was watching television in bed.
The woman eventually moved to a new address, but in May 2019, she discovered a note from Lawrence offering £70 for sex.
Weeks later, Lawrence appeared outside her window.
In October 2019, Lawrence again offered money for sex after approaching her at a Chinese restaurant.
In March 2020, he was seen outside her bedroom window, and in two additional incidents that year, he shone a light into her home.
The court heard that Lawrence also contacted her at a takeaway and approached her in a shop.
He reportedly visited her residence when she was looking after her grandchildren, and on one occasion, he was in her bed while she was resting, offering payment for sex.
With prior convictions on his record, Lawrence pleaded guilty to stalking.
Judge Kelson sentenced him to four years in prison and issued a lifetime restraining order to protect the victim.
