Stalking grocer gets last chance

Date published: 10 April 2009

A grocer who resumed stalking an Oldham woman after a two year break, got a “last chance” warning by a court.

On three occasions last summer Tariq Ali filmed 42-year-old Naseem Sheik on his camcorder as she drove home from work at Manchester Royal Infirmary.

The city’s magistrates heard the incidents had affected her health and left her living in fear.
In 2006, Ali (42), of Heald Green, was convicted of stalking Miss Sheik and taking 1,600 photographs of her without her consent.

Miss Sheik said she felt Ali was controlling her life. In an impact statement she said: ”I am unable to go out with my friends in case he follows me and I’m being investigated in hospital for my health.”

“I don’t deserve to be tortured like this and all I want is to lead a normal life.”

Ali pleaded guilty to harassing Miss Sheik and was sentenced to 18 weeks jail suspended for 18 months.

He was given 150 hours unpaid work and an indefinite restraining order banning him from contacting the complainant.

The bench told him: “This is stalking and totally unacceptable. This is your last chance and if there is a repeat you will go to prison.”

Vic Wozney, defending, said Ali had kept away from Miss Sheik since his arrest last July.
Ali was also prohibited from going within 100 metres of Miss Sheik’s home or entering the MRI car park except for emergency treatment — and ordered to pay £100 costs.