'Relentless stalker' given suspended jail term

A "relentless stalker" who was caught after a woman sprayed a traceable liquid on him has been given a 16-month jail term suspended for two years.

Neil Leddon, 54, of Mooney Place, Howden, East Yorkshire, previously pleaded guilty to stalking, careless driving and driving without insurance.

During a sentencing hearing at Hull Crown Court on Wednesday, Leddon was also handed a five-year restraining order and disqualified from driving.

Humberside Police said Leddon followed his victim down her street in his vehicle before "purposefully" driving into her car.

Det Insp Helen Collier, from the force's domestic abuse and investigation team, described Leddon as a "relentless stalker".

She said he had taken photos of the woman and waited outside her home and workplace on "multiple occasions" in November last year.

"He was also seen multiple times on her CCTV walking past her address in a way to intimidate her by circling around somewhere she is supposed to feel safe and secure," she added.

Det Insp Collier said Leddon's actions caused his victim "fear and alarm", but her use of SmartWater – which cannot be washed off – helped officers to "stack up the evidence" against him.

The liquid is invisible to the eye but shows up under ultraviolet light.

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