Man Walked 23 Miles to Stalk Teenage Tennis Star Emma Raducanu

A man claimed to have walked 23 miles to visit the home of teenage tennis star Emma Raducanu.

Amrit Magar, 35, was convicted of stalking following a trial at Bromley Magistrates' Court on Friday, 28th January 2022.

He was back at the same court for sentencing on Wednesday, 23rd February 2022.

Stalking is an offence under section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. It has a maximum penalty of 26 weeks' custody on summary conviction. The legislation describes the elements of the offence and gives some examples of conduct that might amount to stalking, although it is ultimately a decision for the court.

The court heard that the former Amazon delivery driver had visited the Raducanu family home on three separate occasions towards the end of 2021. He found the property after apparently walking 23 miles from his home in Enfield, north London and asking locals for directions.

On the first occasion he arrived with a bouquet of flowers and a note. He was challenged by Miss Raducanu's father Ian, but claimed to be a delivery driver dropping off the gifts on behalf of someone else. The note, which was signed by Magar and included the names of his wife Bina and family dog Logan, said: "Nothing to say, but you deserve love."

On his second visit, just over a week later, Magar posted a red envelope through the Raducanu's letterbox, which contained a hand-drawn map showing the distance he had walked. A note said: "23 miles walked 4 you."

Just two days later, on 4th December 2021, Magar visited for a third time. On that occasion he decorated a tree in the Raducanu's front garden with Christmas lights. He then posted spare batteries and leftover decorations through the letterbox. Magar also stole a trainer from the porch in the mistaken belief it belonged to Miss Raducanu, when it actually belonged to her father.

Ian Raducanu observed the third visit on a doorbell camera and recognised Magar from his earlier visits. Mr Raducanu followed Magar to a bus stop and reported his actions to the police. Magar was arrested a short time later and the trainer was recovered from his bag.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, prosecutor Denise Clewes said: "She (Emma Raducanu) feels she is always looking over her shoulder, she doesn't feel safe on her own home. She has lost her freedom."

The Raducanu family are now planning to move to a property with heightened security measures.

District Judge Sushil Kumar, sentencing, said: "I accept there was some degree of planning. Your actions have caused changes of lifestyle for the family not least the acquisition of security measures and moving house. He should not be going anywhere near where Ms Raducanu is going to compete or train."

Magar was handed an 18-month community order with 200 hours' unpaid work and 8 week electronically monitored curfew requirement.

He was also ordered to pay £500 towards prosecution costs and £95 surcharge.

Magar was also made subject to a 5 year restraining order that prohibits him from approaching or making any contact whatsoever with Emma Raducanu.