A SINISTER online stalker who targeted a mother and daughter in a determined bid to make their lives a misery has been jailed for three years and four months.

Lewis Haigh threatened to rape and kill the younger women, saying ‘There’s a bullet with your name on it’ and ‘You’re going to go missing, you won’t be seen again,’ Bradford Crown Court heard.

Haigh, 22, of Flockton Road, East Bowling, Bradford, caused huge upset, distress and fear. His conduct was sinister and deliberately intended to maximise anxiety and upset, the judge jailing him said today.

He had ‘sheer determination to make the women’s lives a misery.’ Haigh, who was on remand in HMP Leeds, pleaded guilty on the day of his trial to stalking the women causing fear of violence, threats to kill and obstructing a police officer.

The court was told that the online menacing began after he mistakenly thought he was in a relationship with the younger woman.

Prosecutor Adam Walker said he threatened to rape and kill her. He then targeted her mother saying he would burn her house down.

Haigh sent her daughter unwanted gifts of jewellery and had takeaway food delivered to her address. He threatened to post ‘revenge porn’ and created fake social media accounts that appeared to have her offering sexual services.

Mr Walker said the behaviour was of a persistence and gravity rarely seen in such cases.

The woman’s mother began receiving threats and Haigh told them: ‘You’re both getting it.’ He sent lewd and menacing messages to the older victim’s place of work, the court was told.

When the police came to arrest Haigh, they found him hiding under his bed. He was obstructive and managed to break free. He then took hold of his grandmother and tried to place her between himself and the officers. He had to be carried to the police van, Mr Walker said.

Both the women stated that they had been caused very serious alarm and distress. They described being prisoners in their own homes.

Zarreen Alam-Cheatham said in mitigation that Haigh lacked maturity for someone of his age. His rational thinking was consumed by anger after he mistakenly believed that he could have a relationship with the younger woman. He had a neglectful upbringing and was addicted to cannabis at the time.

A psychiatric report said Haigh had some elements of a personality disorder but he acknowledged there was no excuse for what he did, Miss Alam-Cheatham said.

Recorder Tahir Khan KC said there was never any prospect of Haigh being in a relationship with the young woman.

He created false online accounts making fake sexual allegations and threatened to kill her. He then targeted her mother and threatened to rape them both.

“This behaviour continued even after you were under investigation and that’s a significant aggravating feature,” Recorder Khan said.

He made a restraining order to protect the women from Haigh in the future.