A 35-year-old man from Pontefract has been sentenced to five years and four months in prison for a prolonged campaign of stalking that caused serious distress to a victim over nearly two years.
Andrew Russell Philip, of George Street, was convicted at York Crown Court on 21 November 2025 for stalking involving serious alarm or distress. The offences began while he was in a relationship with another woman, targeting the victim with measures designed to intimidate her and make her believe threats were coming from an ex-partner.
The abuse included fitting a tracking device to her car, sending threatening messages from fake social media accounts, attempting to hack her email and social media, and disabling her home security cameras. Posing as her ex-partner, Russell claimed that “people were being paid to watch her” and that he wanted to “punish her.”
The harassment escalated to break-ins and further intimidation through phone calls and voice messages, forcing the victim to move multiple times as Russell continued to locate her.
North Yorkshire Police linked Russell to the offences through a detailed investigation, including CCTV evidence connecting him to the phone numbers used in the stalking campaign.
Detective Sergeant Michelle Neighbour, from the Stalking Support Team, praised the victim for her bravery: “Her life and that of her children have been completely disrupted by Russell’s actions. Despite his attempts to evade prosecution, he was found out and pleaded guilty. This case highlights the severe emotional, psychological, and physical impact stalking can have.”
The victim told the court that the prolonged abuse had a profound effect on her mental health, leaving her living in fear and requiring ongoing support for both herself and her children.
A full Stalking Protection Order (SPO) was issued during the investigation for five years and has now been extended to ten years following Russell’s sentencing to provide additional safeguards against reoffending.
North Yorkshire Police advised anyone experiencing unwanted contact to report concerns immediately. Their Stalking Support Team offers guidance and protection for high-risk victims.
