Ben Strangeways

Ben Strangeways, a 21-year-old from Whitby Avenue, Eston, Middlesbrough, was sentenced to an extended nine years and five months at Teesside Crown Court for stalking and sending threatening communications. The sick Middlesbrough pervert wrote vile letters to several mothers threatening to rape and murder their children, branding himself a ‘puppet master’ with a ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ personality. His behaviour terrified mothers, some needing panic alarms to leave home. Arrested at Middlesbrough bus station with a flick-knife, handcuffs, cable ties, eye mask, and body cleaning products, police found more disturbing items in his bedroom: a child-like sex doll, books on serial killers, a balaclava, hammer, air pistol, and knives.

Prosecutor Tabitha Buck noted some letter contents were too disturbing for open court reading, with Strangeways' online research showing an unhealthy interest in serial killers. He pleaded guilty to stalking causing fear of violence, possession of an offensive weapon, and seven charges of sending communications threatening death or serious harm. Robert Mochrie, mitigating, cited alcohol abuse but accepted no excuse.

Judge Jonathan Carroll called it the most disturbing case of its type, branding Strangeways a dangerous offender and imposing an extended sentence with two years three months licence, plus indefinite SHPO and restraining order. Reported by The Northern Echo from Teesside Crown Court.