A woman shared her harrowing experience of being tormented by a colleague turned stalker who invaded her home and stole her diary, all caught on a Ring doorbell camera.
Grace Hallam, featured in Channel 4’s “Catching My Stalker,” recounted how her colleague, Karl Chads, became obsessive and abusive towards her after they met during a train ride from Birmingham in May 2023. Despite barely knowing each other previously as Grace worked remotely and Chads was London-based, the situation took a dark turn.
Chads’ behavior escalated after a work event at The Ritz, where he made inappropriate comments that made Grace uncomfortable. He began sending relentless messages, making unwelcome advances, and turning hostile when rejected. Grace sought help from the police and her employer, but Chads resigned before facing consequences.
Despite efforts to distance herself, Chads persisted, sending gifts and making threatening calls. The situation reached a breaking point when he physically attacked Grace’s home, causing extensive damage and theft. With the support of her boyfriend, Grace reported the incident, leading to Chads’ arrest and subsequent trial.
Chads faced multiple charges, including stalking and burglary, to which he pleaded not guilty. However, following a trial, he was found guilty and sentenced to over eight years in prison, with lifelong registration as a sex offender. A restraining order was also issued to prevent him from contacting Grace or others associated with her.
In her victim impact statement, Grace expressed the profound impact of Chads’ actions on her life, detailing the trauma and fear she endured. The police acknowledged initial shortcomings in their response to Grace’s reports and highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance stalking response protocols.
Detective Constable Honeybell emphasized the severity of Chads’ behavior, describing him as a dangerous individual who caused significant distress. The police reassured the public of their commitment to improving responses to stalking incidents, including enhanced training and preventive measures.
