Restaurant worker terrorised ex in awful campaign of stalking

A Cardiff restaurant worker terrorised his former partner by putting her details on an adult website, turning up at her workplace, and even making false reports to social services. Charlie Williams' terrifying campaign of stalking began after he refused to accept the end of the relationship.

Prosecutor Harriet Ealden told Newport Crown Court that Williams, 30, had been in a relationship with the victim for just over four years and they had a two-year-old daughter together. The barrister said: "The victim ended the relationship in September 2023 and the defendant did not take the news particularly well." One of the first incidents of stalking happened on October 21 last year when Williams turned up at his ex's home in the early hours and started an argument causing her to feel frightened.

"The victim had blocked him on all social media accounts," said Ms Ealden. "However she started receiving calls from withheld numbers – sometimes 80 calls in one day. She also began receiving Facebook messages from an account using the name John Doe. Some were threatening in nature such as: 'Oh girl, you have no idea what I'm about to put you through.'" The victim noticed that the account made the same spelling and grammar errors Williams often did.

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The messages and calls stopped on October 23 when Williams was arrested but he was then bailed with conditions not to contact the victim. She continued to receive anonymous messages such as: "Poor little b****, I hope you die." Williams later posted on Instagram that he had found an "ingenious" way to "keep connected" with someone using Netflix. The victim then noticed the 'continue watching' section of her Netflix account included films she had not seen such as What's Your Number? and If Anything Happens I Love You.

One day she was sitting in a park on a lunch break from work when Williams approached her and said: "I'll make sure you lose your job." He ignored her pleas for him to leave and only did so after she started recording him. Williams later made false reports to police, social services, and the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) claiming his former partner had given their daughter expired medication and had been neglecting her. He also lied that his ex was suicidal. The false reports led to welfare checks which caused the victim panic.

The defendant also used the victim's personal details to set up a profile on a 'sexting' website, which led to her receiving many unwanted calls. The court heard the campaign of stalking caused the victim to have an anxiety attack. She felt she could no longer even sit outside her workplace to enjoy a break.

Williams, of Claude Place in Roath, was arrested on November 12. The 30-year-old, who had no previous convictions, admitted stalking. His barrister William Bebb told the court: "The uncertainty and delay surrounding his position has served as a very potent punishment for him already. He does present with a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. Custody would have a detrimental impact on others such as his mother who is receiving end-of-life care. He is ashamed of the acts he has undertaken and wishes he could turn the clock back." The barrister added that his client had a "difficult upbringing" and "works consistently" in a restaurant in Cardiff city centre.

Judge Daniel Williams said the defendant had forced his victim to "change her habits and routines" and had left her with "an enduring sense of insecurity". But he took into account the "strong personal mitigation" he had heard and imposed a 12-month jail term suspended for 18 months. Williams must complete 180 hours of unpaid work and a 25-day rehab requirement as well as paying £500 in prosecution costs and a £187 victim services surcharge.

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic abuse visit the Live Fear Free website or call the helpline on 0808 80 10 800.