Haverhill man handed interim stalking protection order

A Haverhill man has been handed two interim stalking protection orders.

Nigel Proctor, aged 56 and of Girton Road, was charged with stalking at a previous hearing. He appeared at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on Monday 15 July where he denied carrying out acts associated with stalking.

The magistrates were satisfied there was risk to the alleged victims and granted two interim stalking protection orders after an application from Suffolk police.

The civil order prohibits Proctor from contacting or approaching two named women, contacting them directly or indirectly, and bans him from entering particular areas of the town.

It also means that he must immediately provide and surrender any electronic device that is capable of recording or taking images, and must give access to passwords and log-in details.

A full hearing will take place at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on 22 October 2024.

The Stalking Protection Act 2019 introduced a new civil Stalking Protection Order which can be applied for by the police. They allow early police intervention, pre-conviction to address stalking behaviours before they escalate in severity, and to protect victims from more serious harm. Orders enforce conditions on those suspected of stalking prior to charge or trial.

The orders are designed to run alongside criminal prosecutions and will provide extra protection for victims where evidence may be in the process of being obtained.

A breach of an order is a criminal offence and can be punishable with imprisonment of up to 12-months, a fine or both.