London – For stalking British tennis ace Emma Raducanu, a court in London has imposed a five-year contact ban on a 35-year-old man.
The Londoner had repeatedly turned up at Raducanu’s parents’ home in the British capital for several weeks from the beginning of November last year, leaving unwanted gifts. The 19-year-old said she “felt deprived of her freedom” as a result.
As reported by the PA news agency, the man is now not allowed to go near the tennis player, her parents, her home or training and sports facilities where she is staying. He must also complete 200 hours of unpaid work and observe a night-time curfew for eight weeks, to be monitored by electronic ankle bracelet.
The unwanted advances had included the man decorating a tree in the Raducanus’ front garden with Christmas tree decorations without being asked. Another time, he left flowers with love greetings and a map on which he had marked the 37-kilometre route he had taken on foot from his home to the family’s house. He was caught after stealing a sports shoe belonging to Raducanu’s father from the veranda. He later stated that he had attributed the shoe to the tennis player and had wanted to keep it as a “souvenir”.
