Woman wants stalker law change

The woman rings her property with razor wire and barbed wire

A Suffolk woman who claims she has lived like a prisoner in her own home for 15 years to avoid a stalker wants the law changed to ensure her safety.

She believes the jury who tries the man's case should know he has prior convictions.

The woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, has razor wire around her garden, two security cameras aimed at her property and an alarm which rings the police if it is tripped.

Chris Mole, Labour MP for Ipswich, highlighted her case in the Commons at Prime Minister's questions this week.

He said: "She feels jurors should be given more information about his previous convictions in order to properly protect her from his threatening and unwanted attentions that makes her life a living hell."

In response, Prime Minister Blair said there were firm measures in the Criminal Justice Bill, but he accused the Conservatives of trying to block them.

The woman told BBC Look East that police have done all they can to protect her, but she is still afraid.

She said: "I'm apprehensive all the time, in fear all the time. You're constantly looking over your shoulder and having to worry 'I have to go back now - is he going to be there? Is he going to be around the corner?'

"Every noise that happens in my house, every phone call, every knock on the door, my heart goes."