Serial stalker admits flouting order

IPSWICH: A stalker who is subject to a restraining order is today awaiting his fate after he admitted flouting a ban from parts of Ipswich.

David Foster, of Samuel Court, has been remanded in custody for three weeks while a court decides what action to take against him.

The 59-year-old appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court where he pleaded guilty to harassment and breaching his restraining order.

The victim, who had been engaged to marry Foster, broke off the relationship after discovering he was an alcoholic.

John Fenn, prosecuting, said after the order was imposed, Foster had continued to harass his victim, approaching her and intimidating her on the very edge of the area he was prohibited from entering.

From August 1 to September 28, the victim noted a series of incidents where Foster, knowing her route to work, would appear, staring at her as she was driving past.

The charges also relate to three text messages sent to the victim on September 21 by a friend of Foster on his behalf from Pals nightclub in Ipswich, warning her he was there.

The court also heard Foster breached the order when he entered the prohibited zone on September 28 where he was arrested in Civic Drive by police officers.

Ian Duckworth, mitigating, said his client had been heading to the police station to complain about the chance meetings when he was arrested. He said Foster was waiting to hear about a housing application to relocate him away from Ipswich.

District Judge David Cooper said despite the restraining order, Foster “really kept on making a nuisance of himself”.

He said the victim “felt scared and worried” and said Foster was “potentially dangerous.”

Judge Cooper remanded Foster in custody for three weeks to wait for an update on the housing application. He refused to rule out a custodial sentence.

Foster will appear again at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court on October 28.