A stalker who targeted former Hollyoaks actress Steph Davis was criticised for prolonging her ordeal after he avoided coming to court.
Alex Boston was finally jailed on Friday after a campaign which saw him go to Ms Davis’ house during the night and leave notes professing his love for her.
Yet Boston, from Moreton, was criticised by the CPS for prolonging Ms Davis’ anxiety around the case after he failed to turn up for earlier hearings.
READ MORE: Stalker bombarded Steph Davis with 'gifts' and showed up in the middle of the night
The 43-year-old was originally meant to be sentenced in Liverpool in November but fled when he saw journalists in court.
His case was then rescheduled to be heard in Sefton last month - but once again he did not come to court.
He eventually had to be arrested and brought to court after magistrates issued a warrant.
Speaking after he was sentenced, District Crown Prosecutor Ronan Molloy of CPS Mersey Cheshire said Boston’s actions prolonged the ending of the case.
Mr Molloy said: “The Crown Prosecution Service would like to thank Ms Davis for her help in bringing this prosecution and for reporting the crimes of Mr Boston to the police. We hope the successful conclusion of this prosecution helps her to move on with her life.
“Mr Boston has dragged the conclusion of this case out by running away on several occasions he is now behind bars. The CPS hopes that this case sends out a strong message to other victims of online harassment and abuse that they do not have to tolerate it.”
Boston began messaging the star on Instagram during the first coronavirus lockdown but his behaviour soon escalated.
He soon started turning up at her home and leaving presents for former Hollyoaks actress Ms Davis, leaving her so worried she moved out to live with a family member.
She later said she didn’t feel secure at home and that “her safe haven had been violated”.
Ms Davis contacted the police a year later as his behaviour continued and eventually had CCTV installed at her house because of her concern.
However, Boston continued to bombard her with letters and professed his love for her.
In a statement sent to the court, Ms Davis said she suffers panic attacks because of the ordeal.
She said: “I can no longer relax or feel safe and secure and feel my safe haven has been violated. Mentally this man’s stalking has caused me so much stress, I was struggling to cope.
“I was too scared to leave or enter my home. I would and still have panic attacks to this day. I constantly feel like I’m looking over my shoulder and can’t fully relax and my anxiety is horrendous.”
Police traced the social media accounts back to Boston and brought him in for questioning on 28 July 2021.
He was also identified from the CCTV footage and his fingerprints were found on one of the letters.
Boston, of Lyons Road, was jailed for 28 weeks after pleading guilty to stalking and harassment.
A restraining order also prevents him from contacting Ms Davis or going near her home until further notice.
