A 51-year-old man who subjected a woman to a campaign of harassment, initially showering her with gifts before threatening to throw acid in her face, has been jailed. Duncan Friend, from Sittingbourne, was sentenced to two years and three months in prison at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday.
Friend first met the victim in December 2022 and began buying her presents, including a bag, shoes, and scarf. However, by late January 2023, the woman became concerned by constant messages and calls from Friend, who demanded she return the gifts. He used multiple withheld numbers and escalated his abuse as he sought her address.
On February 3, Friend attended an address in Chatham linked to a friend of the victim, brandishing a weapon resembling a machete and shouting threats to throw acid in the victim's face and kill her. Police were called and arrested him that day. He was bailed with conditions but continued sending threatening messages.
Friend was rearrested on March 19 following an investigation by the North Kent Vulnerability Investigation Team. He pleaded guilty to stalking involving serious alarm or distress and possessing a knife in a public place. Upon release, he will be subject to a seven-year restraining order.
Investigator Holly Felstead praised the victim's courage, stating: 'Duncan Friend subjected his victim to relentless harassment and intimidation... We urge anyone being abused or harassed to report it to police as soon as possible.'
