Accused Stalker Hired Private Eye To Follow Ex

Denial: Dickens

A notorious north Wales landlord stalked his ex-girlfriend by hiring a private detective to trail her movements after she started a new life in London, a court heard today.

Steven Dickens, 54, of Mostyn Avenue, Craig y Don, Llandudno, Conway is fighting the charge, claiming there was no sinister motive behind his actions.

He has pleaded not guilty to one count of stalking partner of eight years Aneesah Jowaheer between July 23, 2018 and February 1, this year by sending text, visiting her home and hiring a private detective to follow her.

She is a former student at Bangor University’s School of Law.

Prosecutor Mr. Akram Rana told Bexley Magistrates Court: “The Crown’s case is the complainant, Aneesah Jowaheer, is the ex-partner of Mr. Dickens.

“On October 30, last year Ms Aneesah Jowaheer contacted the police and reported that Mr. Dickens was harassing her.

“The Crown’s case is that Mr. Dickens did not accept this and continued texting her. She told him to stop, but he continued messaging her.”

In her statement to police Ms Jowaheer says: “I moved to London and told him via text message to stop contacting me.” 

“On October 30 Mr. Dickens attended Ms Jowaheer’s address in London that belonged to her auntie,” added Mr. Rana.

“He gained access to the communal area, knocking on doors and calling for Ms Jowaheer. She did not answer her door and instead calls the police.”

The court heard she had moved to Sherard Road, Eltham and found employment at a company in Aldergate Street, near the Barbican.

“On January 25, this year Ms Jowaheer calls the police from her place of work in the City, saying a private investigator turned up at her workplace asking for her and left a business card.”

Dickens accepts hiring Wallington-based Richard Martinez, of Expediate Detective Agency, but insists this was to ensure his ex’s well-being and safety.

The registered detective, who specialises in matrimonial work, told police a client called ’Steve’ put down a £320 deposit and instructed him to keep tabs on Ms Jowaheer.

“Steve asked him to conduct surveillance of a female and provided her name, address, what times she was likely to leave and her likely route and provided photographs.”

The detective began surveillance at 6.45am on January 24.

“Mr. Martinez explained he observed the female leave the address with a dog and with a male who gets into a van and takes several pictures and updates Mr. Dickens.”

The investigator and Dickens had an exchange concerning tailing Ms Jowaheer and taking photographs and the defendant.

“The Crown say Dickens says he wants to make sure he is doing what he is paying him to do,” added Mr. Rana.

The court heard the detective “wasn’t happy” with Dickens’ requests to follow Ms Jowaheer and fit a tracker to the mystery man’s van and suspended surveillance.

Dickens gave himself up at Lewisham Police Station on February 13.

“He accepts he arranged for Mr. Martinez to conduct surveillance on Ms Jowaheer to see if she was safe and well and in possession of a hard drive.” 

The scheduled trial did not start today after Dickens’ lawyer Vida Simpeh successfully sought an adjournment to take more instructions and bring four new defence witnesses to court. 

Dickens was bailed for a new trial at Bromley Magistrates Court on May 9 on condition he does not contact his ex or the detective or visit her home and work addresses.