A bus driver's stalker was out of prison for a matter of days before she was sent back inside for breaching a restraining order.
Charlie Howells, 29, has repeatedly been before the courts since 2014 for stalking bus driver Imre Marton and harassing his boss at the Oxford Bus Company Louise Rouse.
In the past, she would lie in wait at bus stops around Oxfordshire, stood inches from Mr Marton so she could ‘sniff’ him, and bombarded him with messages.
Mr Marton even went on BBC documentary My Stalker and Me in 2017, telling producers that he was concerned for his life and wore a stab-proof vest. According to reports, after the programme aired Howells sent him a social media message, threatening: “Well now Charlie knows where not to stab you.”
READ MORE: Woman jailed for two years after harrassing bus driver at stops across county
On Thursday (May 4), Oxford Crown Court heard that within a few days of Howells being released from a two-year prison sentence imposed in 2021, she was messaging bus boss Ms Rouse in breach of court orders banning her from contacting the woman.
Appearing before Recorder Alexander McGregor via video link from women’s prison HMP Eastwood Park, Howells, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to breaching an interim stalking protection order made by Oxford Magistrates’ Court on March 15 – just 17 days before she breached it by sending Ms Rouse messages on social media.
Howells also pleaded guilty at the lower court to breaching a separate restraining order.
Defending, Gareth James asked the judge to press ahead with sentencing his client immediately.
“Ms Howells is anxious to know her fate. She does have a long and complicated history, starting in 2014 with a conviction for harassment for which a restraining order was made,” he said.
Between 2015 and 2021, his client had clocked up 12 convictions for breaching various restraining orders. Mr James told the court: “Every conviction on her record is connected to this case.”
Having been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in 2021, she was released on licence last year – but was recalled to prison for reasons not given at Thursday's hearing.
“She’d served effectively the full two year sentence from 2021 to her release in March,” her advocate said.
READ MORE: Foodies' favourite pub shuts down
After hearing from prosecutor Christopher Hewertson, who asked for the matter to be adjourned so he could digest the lengthy history, Recorder McGregor put sentencing back to June 15.
The judge said: “Whilst I understand Mr James’ submission and the desire of the defendant to have this matter disposed of as soon as possible, I don’t consider that adequate information is before the court today to enable me to proceed to sentence.”
When she learnt that she would not be sentenced there and then, lime green t-shirt-wearing Howells got up and left the prison video link room.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article