Man Jailed for Seven-Year Stalking Spree on Neighbours
A man has been locked up after terrorising his neighbours with offensive letters for seven years. Johnathon Warner-Johnson, 52, from Beckenham, was sentenced to over two years in prison and slapped with a 20-year restraining order at Croydon Crown Court.
Relentless Hate Mail Campaign
Between 2009 and 2016, Warner-Johnson targeted a married couple living on his street. He bombarded them with more than 200 nasty letters accusing them of paedophilia and even attacked a family member with Down’s Syndrome in his messages. The vile letters sparked major alarm and distress for the victims.
Vandalism Adds to Neighbours’ Nightmare
Warner-Johnson didn’t stop at hate mail. He took out his rage on their property too, damaging their car and their son’s vehicle. Their fence was wrecked, and he sprayed their plants and lawn with weed killer. To make matters worse, he pretended to be a fellow victim, gaining the couple’s trust while being the source of their torment.
Caught on CCTV and Busted
The police grew suspicious in 2016 when a letter allegedly from another neighbour matched Warner-Johnson’s handwriting and included information only he knew. New CCTV footage caught him red-handed on July 20, 2016, dumping rubbish and spraying weed killer on their garden at dawn.
Officers arrested Warner-Johnson in December 2016. During the raid, they found a folder full of hateful letters and address stickers. He faced charges of criminal damage and stalking. His chilling seven-year campaign finally came to an end behind bars.
Detective Constable Liz Truan said: “Over seven years, Warner-Johnson launched a calculated malicious campaign against his neighbours. His hate campaign caused significant alarm and distress. It’s right he’s been jailed and hit with a long restraining order.”
Warner-Johnson must pay nearly £2,000 in compensation, as the court shuts the book on his bitter vendetta.
