Evri delivery driver crept into woman's home and lay in her bed during stalking campaign
Daniel Charters had initially struck up a friendship with the victim when he delivered parcels to her house but his behaviour became more bizarre and he eventually left her 'terrified'
by Sara Nichol · ChronicleLiveA delivery driver has avoided jail after he crept into a woman's home and lay in her bed during a bizarre stalking campaign.
Daniel Charters had initially struck up a friendship with the victim after delivering parcels to her door but his behaviour started to become more obsessive. A court heard that, on one occasion, the 33-year-old wanted to meet up with the woman but she refused as she was going out with friends.
Charters then sneaked into her Longbenton flat and was waiting inside when she got home, "badly frightening her", prosecutors said. She then also realised he'd been lying in her bed.
Newcastle Magistrates' Court was told Charters did eventually leave when told but returned a short time later and started knocking on the victim's doors and windows, which she ignored. The following day, Charters again turned up at her home, this time making "disturbing comments", which caused her to be "sick in the toilet".
Further messages were sent by Charters to the woman but the police were finally called when he once again attended her home. The pest, of Rowanberry Road, Longbenton, has now been given a 12-month community order and a restraining order for the same period of time, which bans him from contacting the victim or going near her home.
Brian Payne, prosecuting, said Charters and the woman had initially become friends while he was working as a driver for Evri and delivered parcels to her door. However, on August 19 this year, things changed.
Mr Payne added: "He wanted to come over and hang out with her. She didn't want that to happen. He then sent a series of voice messages to her but she didn't listen to them and went out with friends. She came home at about 11.45pm and the flat was in darkness.
"She walked in and, at that point, a figure walked out from one of the rooms, badly frightening her. It was this defendant. He had let himself into the flat. She was clear, in her own mind, she had left the property secure. He wanted to hang out with her and wanted a friend.
"It became clear, after she told him to go, that he had been lying in her bed. That badly frightened her and she locked up the property."
The court heard that Charters soon returned and was knocking on the door and windows and then he returned again the following morning, this time making the "disturbing comment" that made the victim sick. Mr Payne added: "The defendant appears not to have a socialising filter."
David Parish, defending, said Charters had no past convictions, adding: "He has significant mental health issues and he presents as alcohol dependant. He had a friendship with the defendant, he had helped her with DIY and did flooring for her.
"He then thought, on the day in question, that he was OK to go round. He was simply lonely and needed a friend to talk to. He's deeply, deeply ashamed of his actions."
Charters was also ordered to pay £300 compensation, £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
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