A stalker who told his former girlfriend he was “gunning for her” and warned she would “feel pain” has been jailed after a campaign of terrifying abuse that left his victim living in constant fear.
Nigel James, 62, subjected the woman to months of threats, vile messages and voice notes after their two-year relationship ended in November last year.
During the relationship, James repeatedly verbally abused the victim, making cruel jibes about her weight and clothes. But after moving out of their home in Harston, near Cambridge, his behaviour escalated into a sustained stalking campaign.
The court heard how James bombarded the victim with emails and messages, threatening to “ruin her life” and chillingly telling her she was not safe.
In one message, he warned: “I have got enough weapons and tools to deal with you,” adding: “You’re gonna feel pain.”
‘If you want war, you’ll have war’
In February this year, James sent multiple voice notes to the victim, telling her that if she “wanted war, she could have war,” alongside a stream of further insults and abuse.
By March, the threats had become even more disturbing, with James warning he would “bury her”.
The relentless harassment left the victim constantly on edge. She became afraid to leave work at night, regularly calling friends or family members on her way home for reassurance, terrified James might be waiting for her.
In May, she finally contacted police, telling officers that James had made her life “a living hell”.
James was arrested and initially denied the allegations during police interview — until officers played his own voice messages back to him.
One year behind bars
On Monday, 22 December, at Peterborough Crown Court, James, of St Marys Square, Newmarket, Suffolk, was sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty last month to stalking involving fear of violence. He was also made subject to a restraining order.
Detective Constable William Kerslake, who led the investigation, said the case highlighted the devastating impact stalking can have on victims.
“This case shows the devastating impact stalking and harassment can have on victims,” he said. “We encourage anyone experiencing similar behaviour to come forward. We take these crimes extremely seriously and will do everything we can to protect victims and bring offenders to justice.”
