WOMAN JAILED FOR DEAD MICE CAMPAIGN AND HARASSMENT

A stalker who was caught on CCTV posting a dead mouse through her ex partner's letterbox has been sentenced to 22 months in prison. Eleanor Hepburn also scattered numerous other mice outside the victim's property. Police found disturbing footage on her phone showing a hammer on her knee and voice notes in which she threatened to use the hammer to harm her victim. The court was told that in August 2024, Hepburn attended the victim’s home in Warrington early in the morning, banging on the door and screaming. The next month, she used five large waste bins to barricade the entrance to the home. Her behaviour escalated, including calling the victim from unknown numbers, leaving cigarette stubs outside, and pushing items through the letterbox. Further troubling incidents included her recording herself throwing eggs at the property and threatening to post fireworks through the victim’s door. She previously pleaded guilty to stalking involving serious alarm and distress. Hepburn, formerly of East Street, Havant, was arrested on September 23, 2024, and after breaching bail conditions, was rearrested and remanded in custody from January 11, 2025. Court proceedings revealed she had also threatened to run the victim and her partner over. She was sentenced by Liverpool Crown Court to 22 months and received a 5-year Stalking Protection Order prohibiting contact and entry to Warrington. Detective Constable Katie Ashcroft from the Cheshire Constabulary stated, 'Hepburn’s actions towards the victim in this case were abhorrent. She appeared to take pride in her actions, videoing herself throwing eggs at addresses, and delivering dead mice to her victim. Hepburn boasted about her actions and has shown little appreciation for the distress she caused.' The victim was praised for her bravery in coming forward amid a prolonged campaign of harassment and intimidation.