A woman persistently followed a man driving a gold BMW as she struggled to come to terms with the end of their relationship and his new girlfriend. Annika Sands pursued Bradley McCreath across the Wirral in Merseyside, exhibiting a pattern of obsessive behavior spanning almost a year. Her frustration at her ex-partner’s new romantic interest led her to harass the couple, prompting them to leave their residences in Cheshire Oaks out of safety concerns.
Prior to this, Sands had received a cautionary court order after three other men, with whom she had brief relationships, reported her to the authorities. Liverpool Crown Court revealed that Sands and Bradley met via a dating app in September 2021 and had a short-lived relationship that lasted only a few weeks.
Prosecutor Arthur Gibson stated that while Bradley made it clear he sought no long-term commitment, Sands desired a deeper connection, leading to the relationship’s termination, which she refused to accept. Following an initial report by Bradley to the police in November, Sands was issued a stalking protection order in January 2022 due to complaints from her previous short-term partners.
The situation seemed to calm down until a chance encounter at a local store reignited tensions. Sands drove past Bradley in her distinctive gold BMW, leading to subsequent incidents where she pursued him on the road, causing escalating distress. Her focus shifted to Bradley’s new partner, Corinne Roberts, culminating in unsettling encounters and online intrusion into Corinne’s personal information.
Sands’ actions eventually prompted both victims to leave their homes to avoid further contact. She was arrested in February 2022, with evidence found on her phone indicating an invasive interest in her ex-boyfriend and his new partner. Sands pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking causing serious distress, resulting in an 18-month suspended prison sentence and restraining orders against contacting Bradley and Corinne for six years.
Despite having a stable income, Sands was ordered to pay court costs due to existing debts. Judge Anil Murray emphasized Sands’ inappropriate behavior and warned of severe consequences should she breach the restraining orders. The judge underscored the impact on both victims, noting the distress caused by Sands’ actions and the necessity for significant lifestyle adjustments to avoid further contact.
