
Photo: BBC video screengrab

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On one occasion, Charlie showed up on Imre’s doorstep, and on another, she threatened to slit his throat. This prompted him to purchase a stab-proof vest, which he continues to wear to this day. Despite Charlie’s actions becoming more ominous by the day, Imre had trouble getting people to take him seriously. When he initially reported Charlie to the police, a smiling policewoman simply asked: “what’s the crime here?”, as if he should be flattered by her behavior. When Charlie finally received a formal warning from the police, it just made things worse. The Police Information Notice provided to her contained Imre’s full name, which enabled her to significantly escalate her stalking campaign. After some time, Imre was able to convince the police to take the situation seriously. Charlie is currently serving a 3-year prison sentence for repeatedly violating a restraining order. This prison sentence, however, offers Imre little comfort: “It just gives her more time to plan what she is going to do next – and that terrifies me.” Imre’s life has been turned upside-down by this ordeal; not only has the experience wreaked havoc on his personal life, but it has also left him almost bankrupt. He estimates that since his trouble with Charlie began, he has lost roughly £10,000 per year due to changing jobs, missing shifts, and avoiding working overtime.Imre’s situation is not particularly unique—it is estimated that around 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men will experience some form of stalking in their lifetimes. It is clear that something more needs to be done to protect people in this position. Prison sentences do not seem to be an adequate solution, as they are typically fairly short, and for the truly obsessed, they are no real deterrent. Howells continues to stalk Marton from prison. Last year, after he revealed that he was wearing a stab-proof vest every day, she texted him: “Well now Charlie knows where not to stab you… You thought your life was in danger then, there are many people out to get you now. I’d watch my back if I was you, you have been warned!!!!” “I never feel safe. I know she won’t stop and this is never going to end. I am living in fear, always looking over my shoulder,” Imre Marton told Sunday Mirror. “I am sure that one day she will kill me. It’s the end goal for her. Her mission is for us to die together.”