South Yorkshire Police released the statement that a 22-year-old man spent months tormenting and threatening a woman he met online.
Nathanial Elsmore of Urban Road, Hexthorpe, Doncaster, stalked the victim for nine months with abusive messages and phone calls and made threats to kill her.
Nathaniel Elsmore was found guilty of stalking involving fear of violence and given an extended custodial sentence of seven years at Sheffield Crown Court last Tuesday (7 November).
The court heard how, for nine months from October 2022 to July 2023 Elsmore had used multiple fake social media accounts to send messages about self-harm and suicide.
Elsmore also sent messages to friends of the victim in an attempt to further threaten her.
Elsmore has previous separate stalking offence convictions from 2021.
A 10-year restraining order now prohibits him from making any contact with the victim directly or indirectly.
Officer in Charge of the investigation, Detective Constable Alexandra Owen, said:
“Elsmore’s actions have caused serious harm to the victim. It is only right that he now spends the next seven years of his life behind bars for this horrendous and malicious harassment.
“I commend the victim in this case for her courage throughout the investigation and hope that she will now be able to move on with her life safe with the knowledge that Elsmore is out of harm’s way.
“I hope that it sends a message to those who intend to insight fear and harm in the lives of others and make their daily lives a misery. We will bring you to justice and continue to tackle all forms of violence against women and girls.
South Yorkshire Police added :
‘If you are being stalked, please do not suffer in silence and please do not be ashamed. It is always the offender who is to blame. Speak to someone you trust and report what is happening to you.’
To report stalking or harassment to the police, report online or call 101 or 999 in an emergency.