A stalker who followed a yoga teacher from Birmingham to London to continue his disturbing two year campaign of harassment has been barred from entering the capital.
Engineering student Krystian Czekaj, 30, went to Emily Lacy’s yoga classes in Birmingham, bombarded her with flowers and a teddy boy before following her to London after she moved to further her career.
Smitten Czekaj, of Moseley, Birmingham sent her letters declaring his love for her and invited her out for tea, but she rejected his advances.
But he continued to go to her studio and even followed her to a coffee shop, staring at her through the window.
Czekaj pleaded guilty to stalking at Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court in May.
But he was spared jailed today when he was given an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was banned from entering the M25 for two years.
Kunal Dave, prosecuting, said: “This is a matter which first came before the court on May 18 when he pleaded guilty to an allegation of stalking with harassment.
“The complainant used to live in Birmingham, working as a yoga teacher, and the defendant used to work in a Costa Coffee in the Birmingham area.
“The complainant started receiving phone calls, emails and appearances by the defendant, all was unwanted contact between January 2014 and May 2016.
“This was to the extent where she actually moved away from Birmingham to London and he persuades conduct and harassment here.
“In January 2014 he started attending her yoga classes and in July he first asked her out and if she wanted to join him for some tea.
“She rejected him saying she didn’t have time, but she was just being police, she had no interest in him.
“On one occasion her friend and herself went to an Eat coffee shop and the defendant followed her and started watching her through the window, he was just staring at them.
“She felt shocked and decided to leave. He then started sending her letters to the studio where she worked saying he loved her. She then reported him to Birmingham Police.
“It was around February 2015 he sent a teddy bear and some flowers to the studio. She didn’t want it and disposed of the items.
“He then attended the studio and she made it clear she didn’t want him to contact her and he should leave the studio at once.
“In July 2015 she started receiving emails stating that he loved her and she sentthe emails to the police. Since that time she believed they spoke to him and the defendant ceased contact at that point.
“Then she moved to London to carry on her career as a yoga instructor. It was in May 2016 that he then started coming to her studio where she worked and started making phone calls to the studio.
“He subsequently attended the studio as well. I submit that this is a prolonged period of stalking over two years. She has felt shock and been vulnerable, particularly by the fact he has actually travelled from Birmingham to London.”
A victim impact statement read to the court said: “I felt scared that he had turned up at my work place, Sangye Yoga. I want this to stop, I felt vulnerable by what be has done to date.
“In order for me to continue with my life I tried to block him out of my thoughts.
“My family are worried for my safety and welfare because he will follow me. It is not normal behaviour.
“I wish he had never contacted me or come near me ever again. I don’t know want to worry about this for the rest of my life.”
Rodney Coleman, in mitigation for Czekaj, said: “There is a history here, first in Birmingham and then he makes it more serious when he comes to London and pursues the same conduct.
“I have tried to make some inquiries as to whether he understands he must not co tact Miss Lacy, But I’m not sure he fully understands.
“He assures me he won’t contact her if he is released. He is intelligent person, he is studying engineering at Birmingham University.
“He says to me he wants to come to come to London to visit libraries. I submit the court should given him an opportunity not to contact her.”
But Czekaj was not jailed and was banned from entering London or contacting his victim.
Chairman of the Bench Henry Magrill said: “You have pleaded guilty to charges of stalking over a two year period of harassment and contacted her at her work.
“Mr Coleman suggests you down fully comprehend what you have done and why you most not do it, we are somewhat concerned by this.
“But we are going to give you a chance. But you are very must in the last chance saloon.
“If you continue to contact Miss Lacy or go to her place e of work you will go to prison.
“You must not got inside the M25 to enter London for two years or you will go to prison. There are plenty of libraries in Birmingham and resources online.”
Czekaj, who was of previous good character, was sentenced to eight weeks in jail suspended for two years with a 25 day rehabilitation activity requirement to be completed.
No costs or compensation were ordered because of the defendant’s low income.
Instead he was sentenced to one day in prison which he had already served by being on remand since his arrest in May.
