Stalker who targeted women in Norwich Market jailed

Paul Evans, 65, coerced and threatened the terrified woman into spending time with him and assaulted her in full view of shoppers during a campaign of harassment.

It continued despite a court order banning him from contacting the woman with him telling her: “They can do what they want. I will kill you. I mean it this time.”

On one occasion he was back abusing the woman within minutes of a court appearance for breaching the order. 

Evans bombarded the woman with abusive messages up to 49 times a day (Image: Getty Images)

READ MORE: Man admits threatening shoppers on Gentleman's Walk, Norwich

Norwich Crown Court was told his obsessive behaviour towards the woman began in May 2023 following a break up of a relationship. 

He also bombarded her with dozens of non-stop threatening and abusive calls and messages including 46 and 17 times on July 4 and July 9. 

In them he mocked the court order to stay away telling her: “We are going to court soon and I will lie again. I always get off.”

Evans, of no fixed abode, appeared via video link from HMP Norwich after previously pleading guilty to stalking involving fear of violence and breach of non-molestation order. 

READ MORE: Violent and sexual offences now half of crimes in Norfolk

Recorder Nicola Fitches sentenced him to 12 months in prison and a further 12 months of supervision on licence. 

Despite a court order put in place to protect your victim you could not leave her alone and continued to repeatedly harass, threaten her and cause her fear and distress,” she said. 

He was jailed for 12 months and given a restraining order at Norwich Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

“You have shown a blatant disregard for the law being prepared not only to breach court orders but demonstrating your belief that somehow the law does not apply to you and you can lie to the court and get away with it.”

He was also made subject of a five year restraining order not to contact his victim or visit her home address.