Kenton Man Sentenced for Obsessive Stalking
Peter Milner, 51, from Kenton Drive, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on 12 June after admitting to stalking offences.
Obsession Turned Harassment
Milner met his victim through volunteering. Between September and November 2023, he bombarded her with messages that quickly turned obsessive. He also stole photos from her social media accounts and stored them on his own devices. His harassment didn’t stop there—he targeted her friends and even made false welfare reports to the police, claiming she was being held hostage.
“I was subjected to continuous harassment directly and when Milner was blocked, he resorted to public social media posts and then my friends,” the victim told the court.
“His behaviour extended to extreme measures of making false welfare reports to the police… I found this particularly worrying as it showed he had no concept of reality… My sense of safety I once took for granted vanished, replaced by a constant feeling of fear and uncertainty.”
Seven-Year Restraining Order Imposed
Alongside his sentence, Milner was handed a seven-year restraining order banning him from contacting the victim or her friends.
Police’s Warning to Victims
Lead Constable Michael Land said: “Stalking is an intrusive crime, and we take every report seriously. Victims are relentlessly harassed, their private lives invaded, and the impact can be life-changing.”
“I hope this sentence encourages other victims to come forward. Working with the police can help stop this harmful behaviour.”
He thanked the victim for trusting the authorities to seek justice and urged anyone suffering stalking or harassment to reach out for support.
Help is Out There
If you or someone you know is facing stalking or harassment, organisations are ready to offer support tailored to your needs.
For assistance, visit Wiltshire Police – Support for Victims of Stalking and Harassment.
Know the Warning Signs
Stalking behaviours might seem minor on their own. But if a pattern emerges following the FOUR mnemonic—Fixated, Obsessed, Unwanted, Repeated—victims should document all incidents and report them immediately before the situation worsens.
