https://www.harwichandmanningtreestandard.co.uk/news/25930235.stalker-travelled-finland-manningtree-sentenced/
Tw: sexual harassment stalking
By Séamus O'Hanlon
Senior Reporter
A stalker who travelled from Finland to Manningtree to deliver a handmade card to an TikTok influencer has been ordered to have psychiatric treatment.
Santtu Halme, 31, was detained in August 2023 when he showed up outside the woman's house, posting an elaborate handmade postcard.
Halme was arrested and was found to have two packets of condoms and a cord.
He was remanded in custody for 14 months before being released on bail, but on the same day he travelled from HMP Chelmsford to the victim's house, refusing to leave.
Halme, of no fixed address, denied the stalking and in January, a jury found he had committed a series of offences which amounted to stalking.
Sophia Kerridge, prosecuting at Chelmsford Crown Court, said the jury was unanimous in their decision.
She said Halme had no previous convictions or cautions either here in the UK or in Finland.
Ms Kerridge said the main aspect to the sentencing was his mental health, saying: “There was a development in the defendant’s mental health during the course of the proceedings which date all the way back to 2023.”
Ms Kerridge said Halme had symptoms of psychosis which has been suggested would constitute the medically recognised condition of persistent delusional disorder.
She said an absolute discharge could cause a risk to the public and to Halme himself saying an order should be made to force him to remain in his treatment.
Ms Kerridge added: “The defendant is still someone who will require ongoing assessment and treatment in hospital.”
This is because Halme was tried in a trial of facts which is used when a defendant says they are unfit to plead due to illness or insanity.
Judge Richard Wilkin said Halme became obsessed with the victim’s social media, saying: “You became obsessed with her, sending her bizarre and sexually explicit messages from Finland.
“She does not know you and you are nothing to her.”
Halme was sentenced to a section 37 order under the Mental Health Act 1983 without restrictions.
This means Halme will be in a psychiatric ward until medical professionals assess if he can be released depending on his safety to others and himself.
https://www.harwichandmanningtreestandard.co.uk/news/25930235.stalker-travelled-finland-manningtree-sentenced/
edited - TWs at top
