Hunt for Bristol greeting cards stalker who threatens rape

Cards featuring images of cats and birds are being used by a stalker to convey sinister messages to a woman he has been tormenting for six years.

Police have this week released images of the distinctive handwritten notes, which are usually signed from ‘Gordon’ or ‘your stalker’, in a bid to track down the culprit behind them.

The cards have been sent to a woman in her 40s over the last six years, but officers say they have become increasingly graphic and threatening in nature over the past two years and include threats to commit rape.

Often featuring animals, especially cats, the greetings cards are always written in capitals, are signed off with five crosses – one large and four small Xs around it – and are all sent from the Bristol postmark area.

The woman, who went to the police about the harassment in January 2016, said: “This has been going on for so long – someone out there must know who it is.

“Whether it’s the distinctive crosses, the handwriting or the name they call themselves, if you recognise anything that could help the police, please let them know.”

The back of one of the cards

Detective constable Patrick Prescott said: “We’re releasing extracts of the offender’s handwriting and signature as we believe someone will recognise the style and know who the sender is.

“Do you recognise this handwriting, the name Gordon or the signature with the five crosses? Do you know who may be sending these cards?

“If you work in a shop which sells cards, or if you work in the postal service, do you recognise the handwriting or the distinctive pattern of crosses?

“The content is becoming increasingly sexually explicit and aggressive in nature and includes threats to commit rape and stalking offences.

“We’ve been working with a criminal profiler at the National Crime Agency to examine and risk-assess the offender’s behaviour and are continuing to progress numerous lines of enquiry.

“Thorough analysis of the communications has been carried out and the possibility the offender has sent, or is sending, cards or letters with similar content to other people cannot be excluded. If you have been receiving similar correspondence then we want to hear from you.

“You may recognise one or more of the characteristics but can’t believe the person you have in mind would commit offences like this. It could be a colleague, friend or even a family member. We’d ask you to please report any concerns or suspicions to help us make this stop.

“Harassment offences can cause significant distress to victims and disrupt their daily lives but we’ll do all we can to make sure we investigate crimes, gather evidence and whenever possible, bring offenders to justice.”

Anyone who can help the harassment inquiry is asked to call police on 101, quoting the reference number 5216008248.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

For more information about stalking and harassment, including where to get help and advice, visit: www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/newsroom/features/stalking-and-harassment-ruins-lives/.