Met Police Officer Stalked Ex-Partner

A serving Metropolitan Police officer bombarded his ex-partner with calls and text messages, despite being told to leave her alone.

Benjamin Bunsell, 40, of Greenwich, was convicted of stalking without fear, alarm or distress following a trial at City of London Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 19th December 2023.

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.

Between 23rd June and 28th July 2023 Bunsell, who is currently attached to the Met's Central South Command Unit, persistently tormented Natalie Jundo by sending her a deluge of text messages, emails and withheld number telephone calls.

District Judge Briony Clark, presiding, heard that Bunsell's and Ms Jundo's on-off relationship began in December 2021 when the pair met on a dating website.

After a few false starts the couple finally split, for good, on 22nd June 2023.

In the days following the split Bunsell sent messages to Ms Jundo seeking reconciliation. Ms Jundo responded to some of the messages, telling Bunsell to leave her alone. She also blocked his mobile phone number and social media accounts.

However, Bunsell, who clearly couldn't take "no" for an answer, continued to contact her using withheld telephone numbers and fake email accounts.

Ms Jundo reported Bunsell to the police on 3rd July 2023 and he was arrested. He was subsequently bailed on the condition he made no contact with his ex.

On 25th July 2023, around 3 weeks later, Ms Jundo received an email wishing her a happy birthday from a person purporting to be "Greg".

A few emails were exchanged and "Greg" provided a mobile phone number. Ms Jundo called the number and immediately recognised Bunsell as the person answering.

Police investigations subsequently traced the "Greg" emails to Bunsell's mother's address, where he was living at the time.

For his part Bunsell denied that his continued contact with Ms Jundo amounted to stalking or harassment. He said the couple had had break ups and make ups in the past and thought the same would happen again given the passage of time.

DJ Clark disagreed, convicting him of the offence. The Judge noted that Ms Jundo had made it "abundantly clear" to Bunsell that she wanted nothing more to do with him.

Bunsell was granted conditional bail until his sentencing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 18th January 2024.

In the meantime he must not have any contact, either directly or indirectly, with Ms Jundo; nor must he enter the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.