Stepney stalker who strangled and posted sexual images of his ex-girlfriend sentenced

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22-year-old Misbah Ali from Stepney was given a two-year suspended sentence and a five-year restraining order after admitting stalking his former girlfriend between December 2019 and January 2020.

The restraining order prohibits Ali from contacting or referring to his ex-girlfriend on any social media platform for five years.

The court heard how after a brief relationship with the victim, Ali started a four-month campaign of harassment where he attacked his ex-girlfriend with a laptop, strangled her and shared sexual pictures of her online.

Ali started his four-month campaign of harassment and stalking from December 2019 to March 2020.

During those four months, Ali followed the victim from her home to university pleading with her to unblock him on social media. He also sent her threatening messages and posted private photos on Twitter.

Ali also recorded a video message in the victim’s rear garden saying how low the wall was and that he wanted to know where her bedroom was. This caused the victim a great deal of anxiety.

In February 2020 the rear window of the victim’s car was smashed with a brick, and she received a message from Ali saying “Wys [what you saying] ‘bout the car if you snake more shit will happen don’t block man.”

In the same month, the victim was approached by Ali near her home. Ali grabbed the woman and placed her in a headlock saying ‘why did you block me?’ alluding to her blocking him on social media.

In March 2020, Ali confronted the victim at her university and again requested she unblocked him on social media and demanded her new mobile number. The woman refused which resulted in Ali snatching her phone and laptop and hitting her on the head with it. Ali then flipped over a table, before grabbing her by the neck and strangling her.

Detective Sergeant Lee Gordon, from the local Public Protection Unit, said: “Ali subjected the victim to a torrent of hate over a sustained period of time and his fixation caused her serious distress.

“Adding further insult to the victim, Ali made numerous false allegations about the her to police. His actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for the safety and welfare of the woman as he continued his quest to ruin her life.

“I hope the sentence brings the victim a measure of comfort and that other women suffering from harassment or stalking are encouraged to come forward and speak to police.”

Find tips to prevent stalking and harassment on the Met Police website.