POLICE have charged a Stourbridge man with breaching a Stalking Prevention Order after it is alleged he set up fake social media profiles to harass his ex-partner online.

The man, aged 25, is accused of contacting the woman on Instagram with messages of a sexual nature.

He was banned from contacting her – and told to stay at least 100 metres away from her home and work – under the terms of an interim Stalking Prevention Order (SPO) secured by West Midlands Police last month.

It was a landmark case for the force as it was the first obtained since new legislation came into force earlier this year.

The man has been charged with breaching the SPO and was due to appear at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court today (Monday May 4).

Inspector Cate Webb-Jones, said: “SPOs allow us to block alleged perpetrators from contacting people or approaching their accusers, and stipulate they engage in addiction or mental health programmes, while a criminal investigation is carried out.

“Stalking cases are often complex and involve an extensive analysis of digital evidence; they can take a long time to review and bring charges.

“But SPOs put immediate restrictions on a suspect’s behaviour while that investigation is carried out…they provide extra protection for victims at an early stage.

“We will do all we can to safeguard vulnerable victims and the new SPOs give us additional safeguarding powers.”

Anyone concerned about stalking is urged to find out more about how to get help online at west-midlands.police.uk/your-options/stalking.

The force will be applying for a full SPO – likely to run for several years – against the suspect when the interim order expires.

A breach of an order is a criminal offence punishable by either a fine or a prison sentence of up to five years.