Stalker made 460-mile round trip to damage woman’s car

A stalker who drove from Devon to Sussex to slash a woman’s car tyres has been sentenced.

Reece Chipperfield also poured red paint over the vehicle and left a threatening note on the windscreen during the 460-mile round trip.

He had a professional working relationship with a former colleague at a hotel near Crawley between December 2021 and March 2022, however he quickly developed an infatuation with her.

This included sending her an unwanted bracelet, contacting her work colleagues about her shift patterns without her permission and sending unwanted text messages.

On 6 April 2022, the victim told him to stop.

We have chosen not to disclose the name of the hotel to further protect her.

Just four days later, Chipperfield travelled from his home in Thurlestone, Devon to the hotel in Sussex in his black Vauxhall Corsa. He waited for the woman to arrive for work, before slashing three tyres and pouring red paint over her vehicle. He also left a handwritten note on the windscreen, before driving back to his address.

The total journey time would have been approximately eight hours.

On 11 April 2022, the 28-year-old was arrested with the assistance of Devon and Cornwall Police. He was bailed with conditions including not to contact the complainant, which he breached on several occasions by sending her unwanted cards.

Police therefore secured an interim Stalking Protection Order to protect the victim while further evidence was gathered.

On 7 October 2022, staff at the hotel reported that a further threatening letter addressed to the woman had been received.

Extensive efforts were made by Sussex Police to locate the suspect, which led to him being arrested again on 10 October 2022.

Two officers from Crawley CID travelled to Torquay in Devon to interview him, and the Crown Prosecution Service subsequently authorised charges of stalking involving fear of violence, criminal damage and witness intimidation.

He pleaded guilty to all offences and was remanded in custody awaiting sentencing.

At Lewes Crown Court on 18 May, he received a 14-month prison sentence. Due to being on remand for the previous seven months, the court ordered that he be released with time having been served.

He was also given an indefinite restraining order against the woman.

Find out how to protect yourself from stalking and harassment here.