Exeter stalker who left victim and housemates terrified is jailed

A stalker who left his victim terrified in her own home after attending numerous times a day has been jailed.

Andrew Giles, 54, of St John’s Road in Exeter, appeared at Exeter Crown Court recently for sentence having pleaded guilty to stalking involving fear of violence or serious alarm or distress.

Giles was jailed for eight months and a restraining order made preventing him from contacting the victim or attending the property.

During the sentencing hearing, the court heard how over the course of two months from September to November last year, Giles uninvitedly attended the victim’s property on numerous occasions.

On 11 September one of the victim’s housemates took a parcel for Giles who lived nearby, and that evening Giles went to the property to retrieve it.

Once there he asked to see the victim, with whom he’d only ever exchanged pleasantries when they passed.

The housemate let Giles in out of politeness and once inside, he held the parcel over his crotch despite it being an unnatural position.

Giles eventually left the property after outstaying his welcome and making everyone present feel uncomfortable. Giles then returned shortly after and asked if they had a parcel again.

On the second visit, Giles entered the hallway and made comments about the victim’s breasts and his own underwear, adding that the door was insecure.

Giles then attended the property asking to see the victim on 14 September but was sent on his way.

On 15 September the victim’s landlord attended and added a camera and extra locks, such was the concern about Giles’ behaviour who was by that point turning up multiple times a day unannounced and sitting outside.

On 22 September the victim went to move her car and when she did so Giles approached her and stared at her, making more strange comments.

Giles would always be outside his home when the victim returned from work or the gym, making her feel that he was watching her and working out her routine.

Further occasions of Giles speaking to the victim followed, and he resumed attending the property and asking for parcels.

In the early hours of 9 November, the victim’s housemates were awoken to banging at the door. The banging was from Giles who was shouting and hitting the door.

Later that day Giles again attended the property on two occasions, the second causing the terrified occupants to leave through the backdoor to avoid him. 

Giles’ escalating behaviour resulted in the victim booking an Airbnb as she was in fear of being in her own home.

Doorbell footage recorded Giles making what appeared to be threats and he was arrested on 12 November before being bailed with conditions not to attend the property or linger outside.

The same day he was bailed, Giles attended the victim’s property again. Police attended and arrested Giles who was remanded in custody.

In interview Giles admitted the bail breach and said he wanted to have sex with the victim.

During the interview Giles stated he was in love with the victim and wanted to move to Florida with her, indicating that him attending the property and waiting outside was to keep her safe.

Officer in the case, PC Charlotte Cameron said: “Andrew Giles is a dangerous individual, whose stalking behaviour accelerated at a concerning rate over a very short period of time.

“This was a horrific case for the victim and her housemates, and I would like to thank them all for their cooperation in the investigation.

“Thanks to their courage and to all of the other officers who worked hard to get an emergency charge, Giles was swiftly remanded in prison after breaching his bail conditions.”