Maureen’s story

Maureen was 20 when she turned down Richard’s advances in 1962. Their families were part of a very close-knit and isolated religious community in Wales and they tried to pressure Maureen into marrying Richard. She refused and married someone else. Her family rejected her because of her choice and Richard stormed the wedding ceremony and made a scene. He had to be physically removed. Throughout her four-year marriage, Maureen was often confronted by Richard. He followed the couple, insulted her husband, and continually stated his commitment to Maureen. After four years, her husband could take no more and left. He moved away, leaving Maureen and her infant daughter.

Richard stalked Maureen for 43 years in total. His belief that they belonged together and that they would one day be married never wavered. Maureen was diagnosed with a nervous disorder and was never able to form another romantic relationship. Richard made it his business to put off any potential suitors. Maureen encouraged her daughter to move away at an early age so that her life would not be blighted by Richard’s activities. When Maureen died in 2005, her daughter attended her funeral and this represented the point that Richard transferred his attentions to the daughter. Maureen’s daughter says: “He killed my poor mum. He hounded her to death but he won’t do the same to me. He is old now and has nothing. I have a degree and a work permit for the USA… I have to go if only to stop myself murdering him for what he did to my mum… He destroyed her. He killed her… I can’t believe that no one ever did anything.”