Stalker Jailed

An obsessed stalker, who terrorised a woman in east London, has been jailed.

Charles Thomas Cox, 28, of Medway Road, Bow received two years and six months imprisonment.

At Snaresbrook Crown Court he pleaded guilty to stalking and burgling the woman's home, which backs onto the Grand Union Canal.

Cox was also given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, a restraining order until further notice, and was ordered to pay compensation to victim amounting to £190.

Cox first appeared by the victim’s back garden, around midnight on May 4, last year. 

He made repeated visits to the spot in June, and when the woman noticed that her fence was damaged on June 27, she installed CCTV as a safety measure.

She did not see Cox again until November 7 when she reviewed her CCTV. 

The footage showed Cox in her garden on three occasions in October. 

On November 3 Cox entered her garden and broke into her home, where he stole a set of keys, slippers and underwear.

Cox was arrested on November 19 after a DNA test matched him to semen found on the woman's back door.

Detective Constable Michael Dixon, who led the investigation, said: “We still don’t know why Charles Cox developed an obsession with the woman who he had never met before.

“His stalking must have been extremely disturbing and shocking, especially as it happened at the victim’s home. 

“Alarmingly, Charles Cox went on to break into her house, where he stole various items from, including the victim’s underwear.

“I would urge anyone being targeted and stalked to immediately report it. 

“This will help us to take offenders like Charles Cox off the streets of London and make our city a safer place for all.”