Crawley: Devon stalker drove 460 miles to ruin woman's car

Reece Chipperfield, 28, drove from his home in Thurlestone, Devon, to a hotel near Crawley, Sussex, and waited for the woman, a former work colleague.

Once she arrived at the hotel, Chipperfield slashed three of her tyres, poured red paint on the car and left a threatening note for her.

Paint covered car (Image: Sussex Police)

Chipperfield, who developed an infatuation with her, is also reported to have made a series of unwanted advances to the victim including sending her an unwanted bracelet, contacting her work colleagues about her shift patterns without her permission and sending unwanted text messages.

On April 6, 2022, the victim told him to stop. He made the trip to Sussex just four days later. After the incident, police in Devon arrested the stalker and gave him a prevention order which he breached.

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In October 2022, he sent another threatening letter to his victim at her place of work. Sussex Police officers then travelled to Torquay to interview him and he was charged with stalking charges.

Chipperfield pleaded guilty stalking involving fear or violence, criminal damage and witness intimidation.

Slashed tyre (Image: Sussex Police)

At Lewes Crown Court, he received a 14-month sentence for his crimes. However, because he had been held on remand for seven months, the court found he had served his time and he was released.

Chipperfield was also given an indefinite restraining order against his victim.