Stalking and Harassment

Accused of stalking or harassment? Let our lawyers defend your case and seek justice on your behalf.

Stalking and Harassment Defence Lawyers

Stalking and harassment offences are commonly seen as part of wider allegations relating to domestic abuse. These situations frequently occur after a relationship concludes, with one individual persistently reaching out to the other.

The Protection from Harassment Act of 1997 defines numerous forms of stalking and harassment.

Being accused or found guilty of stalking and harassment can have serious consequences. As well as the risk of a custodial sentence, the court can place Restraining Orders on you which can also restrict your freedom. In addition, the impact on your reputation and future can also be at risk. It is very important to get legal help quickly if you are accused of stalking or harassment.

Request a Call Today

Have You Been Accused of Stalking?

If you face accusations of stalking, it means you are suspected of persistently providing someone with unwelcome attention, causing them to feel frightened, anxious, or intimidated. There are difference actions which can lead to an allegation of stalking which include.

Sending unwanted communications (text messages, emails, phone calls), and/or monitoring a person’s activities.

Stalking involves repeated and unwanted attention that causes the victim to feel scared, distressed, or threatened. This can include following someone, sending unwanted communications, or monitoring their activities.

Stalking does not have a clear definition. However, section 2A (3) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 gives examples of stalking behaviours. This list is not complete, but it helps us understand the actions that may be involved in stalking offenses.

The listed behaviours are:

following a person
contacting, or attempting to contact, a person by any means
publishing any statement or other material relating or purporting to relate to a person, or purporting to originate from a person
monitoring the use by a person of the internet, email or any other form of electronic communication
loitering in any place (whether public or private)
interfering with any property in the possession of a person
watching or spying on a person.

Have You Been Accused of Harassment?

Harassment entails engaging in behaviour that an individual either knew or should have reasonably known constituted harassment. Additionally, there exists a more severe offense of harassment that involves instilling fear in a person that violence may be inflicted upon them.

What Does a Course of Conduct Mean?

Harassment is linked to a course of conduct:

The course of conduct must comprise two or more occasions
Harassment includes alarming a person or causing them distress
The fewer the occasions and the wider they are spread, the less likely it is reasonable to make a finding of a course of conduct
The court should adopt a cautious approach where a course of conduct is based upon a few incidents which are widely spaced in time. The issue for the court is whether the incidents, however many they may be, can properly be said to be so connected in type and in context as to justify the conclusion that they can amount to a course of conduct
The court must consider whether the incidents give rise to a nexus sufficient for there to be a “course of conduct”
There is no requirement that the incidents comprising the course of conduct need be of the same nature.

Pre Charge Representation for Stalking and Harassment Offences

At Eventum Legal, we specialise in a proactive approach to defending against stalking and harassment allegations before any charging decisions are made, which can be highly advantageous for our clients. Our all-female legal team represents both men and women accused of offences under the Protection of Harassment Act 1997 at the pre-charge stage of a case, as well as any related offences that may be part of a broader domestic abuse case. Our mission is to safeguard you, uphold your legal rights, and be your advocate during challenging times.

Interacting with law enforcement during an investigation can open up avenues of inquiry that might otherwise remain unexplored without the prompt engagement of defence lawyers. Our team dedicates time to thoroughly understand your perspective and any available defence evidence, such as mobile phone data, CCTV footage, Satnav information, alibi details, and character references. We meticulously organise this defence evidence alongside your narrative, aiming to present it to the police and Crown Prosecution Service when it serves your best interests.

Contact Us

Charged With a Stalking or Harassment Offence

If you are charged with stalking or harassment, our team will help you to build your defence for court. We will look for weaknesses in the prosecution's case at every step. Our goal is to disprove each part of the charges against you. The Crown Prosecution Service must review their case regularly. If we can stop the proceedings for our clients, we will do so.

If you are found guilty of a stalking or harassment charge, you might not only be looking at a prison sentence, but your criminal record and reputation could also be jeopardized. With strong connections to top criminal defence barristers and forensic specialists, we can provide you with the most robust team for court proceedings involving stalking or harassment accusations.

Stalking Protection Orders

Stalking Protection Orders, established in 2019, are civil orders that can be issued without the need for a conviction. This implies that even if an investigation is dropped or a defendant is found not guilty, law enforcement still possesses the authority to impose restrictions on someone accused of stalking. These limitations might include barring you from visiting specific places, prohibiting contact with certain individuals, or requiring you to undertake specific actions, such as enrolling in a relevant course.

The Police can apply for an interim or full order. Orders may be utilized when there is insufficient evidence to initiate criminal proceedings, which demand a more rigorous standard of proof.

You have the option to challenge such an order, and in this situation, your legal defence team would need to counter the order with a defence argument. The court would list the case for a hearing where both parties (the defence and the police) would attend. During this hearing, you might or might not present evidence, which will be addressed with you in the preparation phase.

A thorough examination of Stalking Protection Orders is necessary to guarantee they are issued justly and in compliance with legal standards, ensuring that law enforcement does not substitute these orders for conducting a proper investigation and pursuing prosecution.

Breach of a Stalking Protection Order is a criminal offence, and could result in a custodial sentence if convicted.

Do You Need a Lawyer For a Stalking and Harassment Allegation?

Anyone facing allegations of a criminal offence should promptly consult with a legal expert. Even if you are innocent, it is crucial to engage with a specialist lawyer who can protect your rights and ensure you are not taken advantage of during police inquiries or legal proceedings.

Facing allegations of stalking or harassment can evoke a range of emotions, from anger and frustration to anxiety, distress, and stress. At Eventum Legal, our role as your legal representatives is to adopt a practical and objective perspective on the charges against you, ensuring that every decision is made in your favour while vigorously defending and supporting your position.

Discussing your case with a member of our team is easy, complete our contact us form or call us on 0161 706 0602. We are ready to provide you with honest, compassionate and free legal advice.