A “calculated and manipulative” man who stalked and harassed multiple female victims has been sent to a young offenders’ institution.
Casey Colton-Young, aged 20, was made subject to a stalking protection order in 2024 after persistently harassing five women, including by using racist and threatening language.
The order required Colton-Young to inform Nottinghamshire Police of all devices, social media accounts and any relationships he formed.
He was arrested twice last year after failing to comply with the order and committing further offences against new victims.
Nottingham Crown Court heard officers attended his address on 16 October and 20 December to arrest him for breaching the stalking protection order. On the second occasion, there was a long delay before the door was answered, which officers believe was due to Colton-Young hiding a mobile phone, which they later found hidden in his bathroom.
The arrest took place after multiple reports were made about Colton-Young’s conduct towards female victims.
One young woman said she received persistent unwanted contact from Colton-Young after deciding not to pursue a relationship with him. She told officers he used a friend’s WhatsApp account to contact her because he had been blocked on her phone and that he would constantly create new social media accounts and try to add her. When she moved away to university, he sent a Snapchat post showing that he was in the area.
In a victim impact statement, the woman told the court she would “shake at the thought of him messaging me or turning up at my address”, adding she suffered regular panic attacks caused by Colton-Young, whom she described as “calculated and manipulative”.
Another victim told officers Colton-Young had sent her multiple messages and made numerous phone calls to her, threatening to damage property and cause serious harm, including threatening to rape her and hold a knife to her sister’s throat.
She told the court his actions had left her “terrified to go out” in case she saw Colton-Young.
During his police interviews, Colton-Young, of Leyton Avenue, Sutton-in-Ashfield, denied any wrongdoing but, faced with a plethora of evidence, including analysis of social media messages, went on to plead guilty to five counts of breaching a stalking prevention order and stalking causing serious alarm or distress.
He was found guilty of sending communications threatening death or serious harm.
At his sentencing hearing on Wednesday (8 July), Colton-Young was sentenced to 38 months in a young offender institution and handed indefinite restraining orders for multiple victims.
Detective Sergeant Gemma Patterson welcomed the sentence. She said:
“Colton-Young is a dangerous offender who has shown no remorse for the serious alarm and distress he inflicted on multiple victims.
“When they tried to withdraw from him, they were harassed, stalked and received terrifying threats that left them fearing for their safety.
“The victims are all terrified of him, so I am pleased he has now lost his freedom and can no longer harm them.
“This was an extensive investigation, and I’d like to pay special tribute to DC James Lawrence and DC Rachel Fox, whose fortitude and dedication led to this result.
“Violence against women and girls in all its forms is completely unacceptable. As a force, we remain committed to doing everything we can to prevent and reduce the immeasurable harm it causes, keep women and girls safe, and catch those responsible and hold offenders to account.
“Working closely with our partners, we will continue to use all the powers at our disposal to ensure victims get the ongoing help and support they need.
“We really are ready and willing to help. I would urge anyone who is a victim of crime, or their friends, to report it to us on 101 or, in an emergency, dial 999.
“You will be supported, you will be listened to, and we will help you. You are not alone.”
