Police have praised a man who was stalked by his threatening and controlling ex-partner as she begins a jail sentence after relentlessly harassing him.
The survivor was continually harassed by 36-year-old Terri Walters whose manipulative behaviour included making unwanted contact by calling, messaging, and emailing him as well as turning up at his home unannounced.
Her threatening and abusive behaviour continued, including making threats to kill him and burn his house down, causing him to fear for his safety.
During one incident which he reported to police, a gas pipe attached to his house was damaged, and during another reported incident the cables to his internet had been cut.
Walters would constantly ask the victim for money and lifts to places, threatening him if he didn’t do so.
In a victim impact statement he said: “I live in fear and worry for my children and family because of her.
“I live in fight or flight mode constantly with the worry of what she will do next, whether it’ll be a letter, a phone call, or the next threat.
“My entire life and those of my children have been affected by her actions.
“I want to be able to live without fear, to live safely, but most of all I want to have a chance of living.
“I’d like to thank all my support network, but especially my family and friends, for their love, care, and help. Also MIND and Samaritans for listening to me on the days I don’t feel strong enough to carry on.
“I couldn’t have done this statement without Shelley (PC Shelley Chester) of Nottinghamshire Police. Thank you for your commitment to work, but also for helping me in understanding that domestic violence against men is not to be ignored or ashamed of. I am a man, I am a survivor.”
Walters, of Ashfield Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield, pleaded guilty to stalking involving serious alarm/distress, between 18 June 2025 and 31 August 2025, when she previously appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on 17 February 2026.
She also pleaded guilty to committing a series of acts with intent to pervert the course of justice between 27 and 31 July 2025, namely asking the victim twice to drop the charges.
In addition, Walters pleaded guilty to assault by beating of an emergency worker, specifically a police officer, on 12 July in Hucknall, and to stealing £109 of haircare products from the Boots store in High Street, Hucknall, on 19 May 2025.
Walters was jailed for three years when she appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on Monday 27 April 2026.
PC Chester said: “I would like to praise the courage and strength of this survivor who is happy to have his story shared to help other victims, including male victims, encouraging them to come forward and report abuse and to reach out for help.
“I hope this sentence provides him with the chance to rebuild his life without living in fear. I also hope it sends a strong message to other perpetrators that we will act against anyone who engages in this type of behaviour.
“Stalking and harassment are serious crimes which can have a devastating impact on the lives of victims, their family and friends and we would encourage anyone who has been affected by this type of behaviour to please contact us and speak to an officer in confidence.”
Nottinghamshire Police is continuing to work with partners to improve the public’s understanding of stalking, and again supported National Stalking Awareness Week (led by Suzy Lamplugh Trust), which ran between April 20 and 26.
Stalking and harassment are very similar offences. Don’t worry if you’re not sure whether you’re being stalked or harassed. If you report it to us, just tell us what’s been happening and we’ll be able to explain if an offence has been committed and what that offence is.
Stalking follows the pattern of FOUR – fixated, obsessed, unwanted and repeated. Any kind of persistent and unwanted contact that causes distress is stalking and is unacceptable.
You are not alone – support is available:
- If you think you are a victim of stalking, please call Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111
- If you are in immediate danger always dial 999 and speak with a call handler
- If you are not able to talk when you need urgent police help, the Silent Solution service is available
- After dialling, listen to the questions from the call handler and respond by coughing or tapping your device, if you can
- If prompted, press 55 to let the call handler know it is a genuine emergency and you will be connected to the police
Help and support are available from other agencies, including the National Stalking Helpline, which is run by Suzy Lamplugh Trust, on 0808 802 0300.
The Stalking Advocacy Service is available to support victims with assessing risk, creating safety plans, civil legal interventions, and signposting to counselling and other services.
You can self-refer to the Stalking Advocacy Service for support, advice, and safety planning by calling the women’s helpline on 0808 800 0340 or the men’s helpline on 0800 995 6999.
