A 22-year-old man from Doncaster has been sentenced to seven years in prison for tormenting a woman he met online. Nathanial Elsmore, of Urban Road, Hexthorpe, was found guilty of stalking involving fear of violence and received an extended custodial sentence at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday.

The court heard that Elsmore had stalked the woman for a period of nine months, from October 2022 to July 2023. During this time, he used multiple fake social media accounts to send abusive messages, including threats of self-harm, suicide, and even murder. Elsmore also attempted to further intimidate the victim by sending messages to her friends.

Detective Constable Alexandra Owen, the Officer in Charge of the investigation, commended the victim for her courage and expressed hope that she can now move forward with her life, secure in the knowledge that Elsmore is behind bars. DC Owen emphasised that this case sends a clear message to those who seek to cause harm and instil fear in others. The police will bring offenders to justice and continue to combat all forms of violence against women and girls.

As part of his sentence, Elsmore was also issued with a 10-year restraining order, preventing him from making any contact with the victim directly or indirectly, including through social media.

DC Owen urged anyone who is being stalked to speak up and report the harassment. She emphasised that victims should not suffer in silence or feel ashamed, as the blame lies solely with the offender. Individuals can report stalking or harassment to the police by visiting their website or by calling the non-emergency number, 101. In emergencies, it is important to call 999.