POLICE have vowed to carry out a review into its handling of a stalking case in which a woman was terrorised by a man officers arrested and let go twice during her ordeal.

Last week, ‘obsessive’ stalker David Russell, of Silverless Street, Marlborough, was jailed for three years for his campaign of harassment against an Oxfordshire woman.

And now police admit there is a possibility they could have 'acted earlier', putting a stop to his stalking.

READ THE FULL REPORT ON HIS STALKING HERE

Throughout the ordeal late last year he tried to change the locks at her home, posted photos of her as a teenager through her letter box and bombarded her with phone calls.

WHAT DID THE JUDGE SAY?

At a sentencing hearing at Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday in which the 30-year old was jailed Judge Peter Ross called the ordeal ‘psychological torture’.

He also questioned why Russell was released under investigation twice after he was arrested, when he continued to harass and stalk his victim, saying he 'cannot comprehend' the decision.

Speaking to the Oxford Mail after the sentencing hearing, Thames Valley Police confirmed it would now hold an inquiry to investigate what may have gone wrong.

In a statement the police force said: “A full review of each report and the stages of the investigations is being undertaken to identify if there were any opportunities to act at an earlier juncture.

“Safeguarding victims is of paramount importance to TVP.

“Victims can be reassured that TVP will do all that they can to deal with such criminal reports appropriately and effectively whilst offenders are going through the criminal justice process.”

HOW COMMON IS STALKING?

The inquiry comes after crime statistics released in October revealed a surge in stalking and harassment cases, with a leap of 76 per cent in just one year, up to 5,473 cases.

At the time police said that the rise in cases was down to an increase in 'confidence' of people reporting such 'historically hidden' offences.

SEE THE FULL CRIME FIGURES FOR OXFORD HERE

Also responding to the handling of the stalking case, senior district crown prosecutor from the CPS Peter Burt said that after reviewing the two reports from police there was ‘not enough evidence’ on either allegation to support any charges and further enquiries were requested.

He added: “It is a matter for the police as to how they bail or release suspects in pre charge cases; the decision whether to release David Russell under investigation after both arrests was taken by Thames Valley Police in this case as it was not under the jurisdiction of the CPS.”

WHAT HAPPENED AFTER HE WAS ARRESTED?

Detailing the stages of the initial investigation to the Oxford Mail, Thames Valley Police said that Russell was first arrested by police and charged with harassment as early as July 27 and was bailed to appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on August 16.

It was reported to police that he had breached his bail by contacting his victim and was remanded to appear before magistrates, where he was given conditional bail.

In October he wet on to admit harassment before magistrates and was made subject to a restraining order but less than two weeks later the victim reported further offences and Russell was again arrested before being released under investigation.

Explaining the rationale behind releasing him the force said: “The nature of the offences committed on this occasion, had increased in their complexity, and therefore this was matched with the investigative response.

“Charging advice was sought from the Crown Prosecution Service on October 28. The CPS guidance required further enquiries to be completed before they could make a charging decision.”

Russell was then released from custody under investigation while enquiries were completed but he was reported to police a few weeks later with further incidents of stalking.

He was again released after further charging advice was sought from the CPS who ‘requested further enquiries’ said TVP.

After Russell went on to commit further offences he was again arrested and this time he was charged and remanded in custody before his appearance at the crown court last week.

TVP added that there are only two options available to them when further enquiries are needed – to release somebody under investigation or on bail.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

A timeframe of when the police review will be completed or confirmation of whether the findings will be made public has not yet been given.

The police statement in full:

“Mr Russell was first arrested by Thames Valley Police on 27thJuly 2018 on suspicion of harassment. This followed a report from the victim on 22ndJuly 2018, that the offender had continued to contact her despite being told by the police on 20thJuly 2018 that any further contact was unwanted.

 

“Mr Russell was charged on 27thJuly 2018 with harassment and granted conditional bail to attend Oxford Magistrates Court on 16thAugust 2018.

 

“On 5thAugust 2018, the victim reported that Mr Russell had breached his bail conditions by further contacting her. He was arrested on 6thAugust 2018 for breaching his bail conditions, and remanded to Oxford Magistrates Court on 7thAugust 2018. Mr Russell was granted conditional bail from the Court.

 

“On 4thOctober 2018, Mr Russell attended Oxford Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to Harassment. Mr Russell received a fine and a restraining order which prevented him from contacting the victim or attending specific locations.

 

“Following on from this, on 18thOctober 2018, the victim reported a further incident to Thames Valley Police. This further report was investigated and officers made numerous attempts to locate and arrest Mr Russell. He was arrested on 28thOctober 2018. The nature of the offences committed on this occasion, had increased in their complexity, and therefore this was matched with the investigative response. Charging advice was sought from the Crown Prosecution Service on the 28thOctober 2018. The CPS guidance required further enquiries to be completed before they could make a charging decision. Mr Russell was then released from custody under investigation while these enquiries were completed, in the knowledge that there was a restraining order in place.

“On 5thNovember 2018 there was further correspondence between the investigating officers and The CPS concerning the outstanding enquiries. A decision was pending, when on 15thNovember 2018 the victim reported further incidents. Mr Russell was arrested on 16thNovember 2018. Charging Advice was sought from The CPS whilst Mr Russell was in custody. In order to join all of the previous incidents together to form one case, the CPS requested further enquiries were completed before a charging decision could be made.

 

“Mr Russell was again released from custody under investigation while these enquiries were completed, in the knowledge that there was a restraining order still in place.

 

“On 23rdNovember 2018, the victim reported a further incident. Mr Russell was arrested on the same day in relation to this incident. He was charged on 24thNovember 2018 and remanded in custody which has led to the conclusion and custodial sentence he is now serving.

 

“A full review of each report and the stages of the investigations is being undertaken to identify if there were any opportunities to act at an earlier juncture.

 

“Safeguarding victims is of paramount importance to TVP. Victims can be reassured that TVP will do all that they can to deal with such criminal reports appropriately and effectively whilst offenders are going through the criminal justice process.”