A married man from Chippenham who became fixated with a neighbour asked her to be ‘f*** buddies’ during a seven-month campaign of stalking.
63-year-old Andrew Westerman engaged in persistent and escalating harassment of the woman in Barn Close last year, leaving her in serious distress.
On Friday (6 June), prosecutor Ryan Seneviratne told Salisbury Magistrates’ Court that the defendant repeatedly attended her home and workplace, and would watch her house.
He also left handwritten notes both at her address and her place of work. One of which said: “You like to s*** with the light on do you? Get rid of him now.” – referring to her partner.
Another said: “I wonder how you feel about being friends with benefits…or as your fruity little mouth would say, become f*** buddies.”
Mr Seneviratne said Westerman’s behaviour had a substantial adverse effect on the woman’s day-to-day life.
On one occasion, he followed her to work and walked into the staff car park to watch her arrive. On another date, he turned up again and silently observed her before walking off.
In another instance, he approached her in a British Heart Foundation charity shop, tapped her on the shoulder and asked about her cat. The woman, who is deaf, was startled by the unexpected interaction and had to step away due to his intense staring.
In addition to the stalking, Westerman admitted damaging a Vauxhall Corsa belonging to the woman’s partner, while it was parked outside her home.
A deep scratch was left down the length of the vehicle, and weeks later, two large crosses were etched into the bonnet. The damage totalled more than £2,310.
Mr Seneviratne said Westerman’s actions had caused the victim “very serious distress” and led her to make changes to her lifestyle in an attempt to avoid him.
The defendant, who is married, was said to have developed a fixation with the woman despite having no prior relationship with her or her partner.
Defending, Neil Brooker said his client had cooperated fully with police and made frank admissions during interview.
He said Westerman did not intend to cause such alarm or distress, but accepted that his actions had done so.
He also highlighted that the defendant was previously of good character and is currently going through a divorce as a consequences of the case. He has since moved away and has no intention of returning to Chippenham.
Westerman, now of Hackney Way, Westbury, pleaded guilty to stalking involving serious alarm or distress and two counts of criminal damage.
He was released on conditional bail and will return for sentencing on 28 July, following the completion of a pre-sentence report. Magistrates left open the possibility of the case being sent to the crown court.
Magistrates allowed the continuation of an interim stalking protection order (SPO), prohibiting him from contacting the woman or her partner, and from entering Barn Close or Pitsmore Road.
