A Newport man has been sentenced to two years in prison after subjecting a charity shop manager to seven months of stalking and unwanted sexual advances.
Nicholas Collins, 55, became fixated on his victim after meeting her at the Newport charity shop where he volunteered. Cardiff Crown Court heard how Collins made repeated unwanted sexual advances, brought inappropriate gifts of a sexual nature, and continued turning up at the shop outside his designated hours – even after being suspended.
The court was told of Collins’ previous similar behaviour towards other women, revealing a pattern of predatory conduct.
In her victim impact statement, the victim explained how Collins’ behaviour “has changed [her] life” impacting her emotionally, physically, socially, and professionally. She expressed concerns that she’ll “never go back to being my full self” and no longer knows who she can trust.
DC Leah Baker, the officer in charge, said: “Nicholas Collins subjected the victim, a charity shop manager where he was a volunteered, to a seven-month campaign of intimidating and predatory behaviour.
“Despite the victim expressing no interest in Collins’ affections or sexual advances, he blatantly ignored this and continued to make sexual comments, send sexualised messages and gifts.
“Stalking can have a devastating impact on people and the extent of Collins’ behaviour led the victim in this case to change her day-to-day life – including her regular route home and dyeing her hair to disguise herself – causing her significant distress and misery.
“Collins has a blatant disregard for women’s safety as demonstrated by his repeated pattern of behaviour towards women and continues to be a dangerous individual. I hope that this sentence provides some comfort to the victim and so that we take allegations of stalking very seriously and encourages other victims that they will be believed and offenders will be brought to justice.”
Collins was also handed an indeterminate restraining order alongside his prison sentence.
