Prolific Stalker Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Elaborate Harassment Campaign

A man identified as a prolific stalker has been sentenced to one year in prison for a "despicable and devious" two-year harassment campaign against his ex-partner and the father of her child. Craig Newton, 38, of Newham, targeted Danielle Dowles and Alex LeGrand between June 28, 2023, and November 23, 2025, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.

Newton, who has a history of 30 offenses across 13 convictions since 2007, employed a range of sophisticated surveillance methods. He installed listening devices within the victims' home using four-way cables and placed cameras outside their residences and workplaces. Covert tracking devices were found on both victims' cars on five separate occasions, and their vehicles sustained repeated damage between August 2024 and July 2025.

One notable incident on July 15, 2025, involved Mr. LeGrand's car being subjected to an arson attack, which he attributes to Newton. Dashcam footage showed a black Mercedes approaching Mr. LeGrand's car, followed by smoke filling the vehicle and a male occupant driving away.

The harassment campaign also extended to the victims' relatives. On July 28, 2025, Mr. LeGrand's mother's windows were smashed, and his sister experienced similar vandalism on August 5, 2025. Bricks were thrown at his mother's home again later that month, and his sister-in-law's vehicle was also damaged in November.

During the ordeal, Ms. Dowles expressed fear for her life, stating in court that her son became scared to speak at home due to the listening devices. "I have no life anymore because of what he has put us through. I am terrified of what he is capable of," she said in a statement.

Newton's campaign began while he was in prison, with Ms. Dowles receiving 99 calls from him in three hours from behind bars on June 18, 2023. He continued to contact her and her mother from prison, issuing threats if they contacted the police. Newton and Ms. Dowles' relationship, which began in May 2022, ended shortly before he was jailed in December 2022 for eight counts of breaching a restraining order against another former girlfriend.

Upon his release in 2024, Newton reportedly intended to "ruin the relationship between her and Mr. LeGrand." He then began monitoring Mr. LeGrand's movements, questioning Ms. Dowles about his car being at her home overnight and threatening to destroy it. Tracking devices were found on Mr. LeGrand's car in July 2024 and May 2025. In July 2024, Mr. LeGrand received messages from multiple Instagram accounts, and a month later, his car was rammed by another vehicle. In December 2024, cameras were discovered outside his apartment building.

Cameras were found outside Ms. Dowles' address, monitoring her and Mr. LeGrand's movements. On September 7, 2025, Newton reportedly hurled abusive language at the couple. Two days later, cameras were found installed outside Mr. LeGrand's office, with CCTV footage later showing Newton and another individual placing the devices.

Newton pleaded guilty to two counts of violating Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. In sentencing, Judge Oscar Del Fabbro described Newton's actions as having "ingenuity in stalking" and a "catalogue of despicable behaviour." The judge emphasized the considerable anxiety caused to the victims, stating, "No person should have to endure that behaviour."

In addition to the prison sentence, Newton received a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting Ms. Dowles or Mr. LeGrand for ten years. The judge warned that breaching this order carries a five-year prison sentence.