‘Dangerous’ man sent to prison for stalking Watford woman

A man, convicted of serious stalking offences against a Watford woman he barely knew, was sentenced to eight years and three months imprisonment at Wood Green Crown Court on Thursday (10 October). 

Karl Chads, age 41, from Charlwood Street in London was also placed on the sex offenders register for life and has a stringent indefinite restraining order banning him from various stations in Watford and Canary Wharf, as well as contacting former and present employees of a company.

He was sentenced to a 99 month custodial sentence with an extended licence due to being categorised as 'dangerous' by the judge. 

Chads was arrested on 18 December 2023 and charged with stalking with fear of violence against two victims – a woman and her partner.  He was also charged with burglary on 17 December 2023, criminal damage on 18 December 2023 and trespassing with the intent to commit a relevant sexual offence between 17 and 18 December 2023. He was found guilty following a nine-day trial on Thursday 13 June, 2024. 

The court heard how Chads, despite having only met the female victim face to face three times, bombarded the woman with unwanted texts, phone calls and voicemails from October 2023. He sent her gifts and handwritten letters in the post. Then went on to break into her property.

“Chads quickly took over every part of her life leaving her terrified in her own home and at work,” said Detective Constable Honeybell, from the Local Crime Unit.  “We are pleased he received a substantial sentence and is not able to torment her or any other women further.  He is a very dangerous man who has made the most serious of threats, against a woman and her partner – both of whom he hardly knew.  His obsessive behaviour was unwanted and unwarranted. He made it clear that nothing was going to stop him from getting his victim, despite barely knowing her.”

She explained: “Chads became increasingly fixated on the victim, spiralling into more erratic and frightening behaviour.  Despite the woman ignoring previous messages and making it clear she did not want him contacting her, he continued to barrage her with unwanted contact, declaring his love for her and posting about her on social media over a prolonged period. He continued to spiral, sending unwanted gifts and flowers with handwritten love letters, despite the victim not giving him her address.”

Not content with tormenting her, Chads then turned his sights on his victim’s partner, threatening to blow his head off and making violent sexual threats to harm the victim in front of him.

On 17 December, she received a call from an unknown number, Chads was breathing down the phone.  At 9.45pm that evening, Chads broke into her home through a bathroom window and stole her journal. DC Honeybell said: “Fortunately she was not at home at the time otherwise he may have followed through with his threats. Safeguarding measures were immediately put in place. However, not content with his earlier actions, he returned to her address, hours later, breaking two glass panels in the front door and reaching into the property, taking her clothing and throwing it across the garden. Police caught Chads again forcing his way into her property, he was found with seven condoms in his pocket.”

“I hope the sentence in this case brings some closure to what has been a terrifying experience for the victim. This result serves as testament that the police and criminal justice system do take these offences seriously and we will do everything in our power to bring those responsible to justice. I would like to issue a personal plea that anyone who has lived, or is living through experiences like this, makes contact with us. Taking that first step can be hard, but we are here to help, you will be listened to and we will protect you.  Violence against Women and Girls is a priority for Herts Police.”

Stalking is fixated, obsessive, unwanted and repeated behaviour. If you are experiencing stalking, whether from a stranger, or someone known to you, please report it.  DC Honeybell added: “Stalking can affect every part of your life and can lead to even more serious offences. We are here to help and for domestic cases we have a Domestic Abuse Investigation and Safeguarding Unit.” 

You can call the Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline on 08 088 088 088 or email.

You can also report information online, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form.