Obsessed Stalker Jailed for Bombarding Woman with 500+ Messages
A man obsessed with a woman he met years ago has been locked up for stalking and ignoring a restraining order. Andrew Costa-Freeman, 24, from Newham, was sentenced to two years in prison at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday, 8 August. He admitted stalking that caused serious alarm or distress and breaching a court order.
Relentless Harassment Spanning Years
Costa-Freeman met the victim, a woman in her mid-20s, through friends back in 2015. While they initially got along, trouble started when he confessed his feelings and she told him to stop contacting her. He ignored her and increased his messages, bombarding her for years via WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
The victim initially ignored the messages but eventually called police. In March 2019, Costa-Freeman received a harassment warning. Defiant, he vowed to keep messaging her, going on to flood her inbox with over 520 texts in just five days, including aggressive and sexually explicit content.
Specialist Police Unit Cracks Down on Stalking
The Stalking Threat Assessment Centre (STAC) led the investigation. This multi-agency unit combines police, mental health experts, probation services, and victim support charities like the Suzy Lamplugh Trust. Their joint efforts secured Costa-Freeman’s conviction and ensured victim protection.
“Costa-Freeman’s behaviour has had a profound effect on the victim’s day-to-day life,” said PC Lindsey Monk from STAC. “After the first conviction, she hoped for peace – but his pursuit intensified, causing even more distress.”
Police Warn: Report Stalking Early
Detective Inspector Lee Barnard, Met’s STAC lead, warned: “Stalking causes devastating impact. Victims feel vulnerable, distressed, and threatened. It’s an unwarranted intrusion that can spiral out of control.”
The Met urges anyone being stalked or who knows someone at risk to act quickly. Contact police on 101 for non-urgent cases, or 999 if in immediate danger. Victims can also reach the National Stalking Helpline at 0808 802 0300 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
