Stalking, Cyber Stalking and Harassment
If you are accused of stalking, cyber stalking or harassment, you need immediate legal advice from a specialist solicitor. DPP Law’s experienced team can provide discreet, professional support and a strong defence.
Accusations of stalking, cyberstalking and harassment constitute a broad range of behaviours. Those who are guilty of these offences may take a number of approaches, from ongoing unwanted face to face contact to sending unsolicited communications to repeated surveillance. Harassment also usually involves the intimidation of a victim, threats or insulting comments or gestures.
Our sexual harassment solicitors can defend you and work to clear your name. We will be able to build a particularly strong stalking and harassment defence if you are able to retain a good amount of high-quality evidence – such as text messages and emails, video and audio recordings and, where relevant, proof that certain communications did not take place, were fabricated or were misconstrued.
If you have been falsely accused of stalking or harassment, you may be facing a maximum of 10 years in prison, which can be extended to 14 if the alleged offence was found to be racially or religiously motivated.
The overall charge of stalking can be broken down into the following specific accusations:
- Offence of stalking
- Stalking involving fear of violence or serious alarm or distress
- Verbal abuse or threats
- Threatening behaviour
- Malicious damage to personal property
- Offence of cyberstalking
- Online harassment or harassment in chat rooms
- Online solicitation
- Offence of harassment
- Racially aggravated harassment
- Domestic abuse
- Harassment at work
What constitutes harassment?
“Harassment” means engaging in unwanted conduct with the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity or creating an interrogating, degrading, hostile, offensive or humiliating environment for the individual in question.
How long does a harassment order last?
The court may or may not specify a time period for a harassment order. If they don’t, it should last for a year. However, the court reserves the right to hand down an order of any length they feel is warranted, and extend it if necessary.
What constitutes stalking?
“Stalking” is defined as engagement in a course of conduct directed at a specific individual, causing them to fear for their safety and/or suffer substantial emotional distress.
What is cyberstalking?
“Cyberstalking” involves unwanted online communications to the same end as “regular” stalking, and can take place on its own or as an extension of other forms of stalking. It has only comparatively recently been considered a crime due to its reliance on the internet.
When you choose DPP Law for legal assistance and representation, you will be assured:
- Guaranteed confidentiality at all times
- A comprehensive check of forensics and evidence records
- Sensitive expert advice – first consultation FREE
For the strongest possible defence against a stalking charge, DPP Law sexual offence solicitors can help. Get in touch with us today for specialist representation.
FAQs
Cyberstalking involves using online platforms, messages, social media, or digital tools to repeatedly monitor, contact, threaten, or harass someone. It includes persistent unwanted messages, tracking someone online, or accessing their accounts without permission.
Harassment is repeated behaviour that causes alarm or distress. Stalking is a more serious form of harassment that typically involves obsession, monitoring, following, or intrusive behaviour. Stalking often includes patterns of behaviour designed to track or control a person.
Penalties can include fines, restraining orders, and prison sentences. More serious stalking offences—especially those involving fear of violence—can lead to lengthy custodial sentences.
Yes. You can be charged if your behaviour would reasonably be seen as causing harassment or distress, even if that was not your intention. The law focuses on the effect of the behaviour, not just your motive.
Defences may include showing the conduct was not unreasonable, proving the behaviour was misinterpreted, demonstrating lawful or necessary contact, or arguing that the alleged “course of conduct” never occurred. Each case depends on the evidence and context.
A course of conduct means at least two incidents of unwanted or distressing behaviour directed at the same person (or linked to the same issue). These incidents must be connected and capable of causing alarm or distress.