Staffordshire stalker admits killing ex-girlfriend he drove to suicide
A stalker who drove his former partner to commit suicide has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in what is believed to be a legal first.
Nicholas Allen, from Rugeley, Staffordshire, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, engaging in coercive or controlling behaviour and stalking at Stafford Crown Court and will be sentenced next month in relation to the death of Justene Reece.
Allen, 47, a former soldier and mechanic, began a relationship with Ms Reece, a Laura Ashley shop assistant, in September 2015 after they met at a scooter enthusiasts’ event in the West Midlands.
At the time, she was living with her husband but left him at the end of the year to be with Allen.
However, after Ms Reece told him she had been attacked by two men at a scooter event but refused to reveal their identities, he became obsessive about discovering their names and the relationship soured.
Ms Reece, who had rented a three-bedroom home for her and Allen in Stafford, fled in September 2016 to a Women’s Aid refuge in the North East of England.
Allen bombarded her with calls, texts and threats and even turned up at her estranged husband’s home.
He was served with a non-molestation order last November, which he promptly breached by setting up a fake Facebook page and contacting Ms Reece again. He was arrested, but the following month Ms Reece was forced to hire a solicitor after Allen refused to leave their rented home.
When she moved back to Stafford at the start of the year, Allen tracked her down and banged on her windows until she agreed to go to a pub with him, where he begged her to rekindle their relationship while threatening her. On February 22, Ms Reece took her own life, with a diary chronicling her struggles in relation to Allen’s actions.
Allen will be sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on July 28.
Hanna Sidaway, senior crown prosecutor for the CPS, said: “In considering the appropriate charges the CPS ordered a specialist report and sought the views of a senior barrister with expertise in this area of law.
“It was clear Allen’s behaviour caused Justene significant psychiatric harm and directly contributed to her death.
“We therefore charged him with manslaughter, in accordance with the code for Crown Prosecutors.”
Allen was remanded in custody as he awaits the sentencing hearing.
A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: “Staffordshire Police has been investigating the circumstances leading to Justene’s sad and tragic death on February, 22 2017.
“This led to Nicholas Allen being charged with engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and six counts of stalking involving serious alarm and distress.
“Subsequently in May 2017 the Crown Prosecution Service took the decision to additionally charge Nicholas Allen with manslaughter of Justene Reece.
“On the June, 2 2017 Nicholas Allen appeared before Stafford Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to all offences and the case was subsequently adjourned for sentencing on July, 28 2017
“As this the case remains under the jurisdiction of the court we do not wish to make any further comment which would adversely affect justice being served for both Justene and her family.
“This is also the wish of Justene’s family who are being supported by specially-trained family liaison officers.
“The family, through these officers, have requested the media please respect their privacy at this very difficult time.”
A probe has also been launched to discover if any lessons can be learned over the way police handled the situation.
The spokesman added: “Due to the nature of Justene’s death the matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which is conducting an independent investigation.”
