A DISTRAUGHT mother told today how she had suffered years of hell at the hands of a stalker.

Theresa Helstrip, 55, of York, has spoken out in an effort to finally put an end to the torment inflicted on her by Stephen Moss, of Newborough Street, Clifton, York.

The 51-year-old has been persistently stalking the mother-of-two since a chance meeting at a supermarket seven years ago. Despite being arrested several times for harassment, a strict restraining order being imposed forbidding him from making contact with Mrs Helstrip, and a five-month prison sentence, he has continued following her and bombarding her with letters.

Moss is now back behind bars awaiting sentence after admitting breaching his restraining order yet again - only six days after being released from prison.

The order prohibits him from "contacting Theresa Helstrip directly or indirectly by any means whatsoever" and prevents him from entering a large exclusion zone within the city centre or anywhere near her home.

In a shocking list of stalking incidents, Mrs Helstrip says Moss has tormented her by:

Staring at her through windows for hours at a time while she worked in several jobs in the city

Following her to restaurants and watching her eat through the windows

Watching her play with her three-year-old grandson in the Museum Gardens

Following her home and peeping through her back window.

"This is every woman's worst nightmare," said Mrs Helstrip, a receptionist.

"I'm scared to go out at night and feel very vulnerable. He needs somebody to help his mental state. Prison is not working because he won't stop following me.

"He obviously has psychiatric problems."

Mrs Helstrip, who has reported Moss to the police dozens of times and written to York MP Hugh Bayley, said she had been prescribed anti-depressants because of her ordeal.

She said he has never been aggressive or violent towards her and says he just wants to be her friend when asked why he is following her.

Mrs Helstrip has also received dozens of letters from Moss over the years, in which he pleads with her not to report him to the police and asks for her help.

"Why should I have to change my life and always be afraid? I fear for my safety," she said.

Mrs Helstrip first met Moss by chance while locking her bike up outside Netto Supermarket in Layerthorpe.

"We developed a conversation about the fact that there were not enough cycle racks," she said.

"He followed me into the supermarket and spoke of an aunt who had left him some money in her will.

"I wanted to carry on shopping but he kept engaging me in conversation.

"I did not think very much about it at the time. However I did notice that when I did my shopping on Thursday nights he always seemed to be there trying to talk to me.

"After a while I became suspicious as he seemed very strange and his conversation muddled. He started to follow me home and wait for me outside work. I was very afraid and sometimes people from work escorted me home.

"From this time onwards he followed me in and around York."

When the Evening Press approached Moss at his home on Thursday, he refused to comment.

He was arrested by police the following day following an investigation that he had once again breached the restraining order.

At York magistrates court on Friday, Moss pleaded guilty to the offence. His solicitor, Colin Byrne, said his client "accepted" he had breached the order in two ways - by entering the restricted area on April 17 and crossing paths with Mrs Helstrip.

"He accepts that he went to her home sometime on the evening of April 17 and into April 18 and left a note on her door asking her not to report him to the police," Mr Byrne said.

Magistrates said they would look at "all sentencing options available", including sending Moss to crown court to be dealt with.

He was remanded in custody to appear before magistrates on May 12.

Detective superintendent Lewis Raw, of York Police, told The Press: "We were aware of the release of an individual from prison and adopted a multi-agency approach to that problem. "We got in contact with the victim and provided them with protective measures such as the provision of a personal alarm and other technical equipment. On April 18 we were contacted by the victim in relation to matters that had occurred. We investigated those matters and a man has been arrested."

:: Moss's court appearances

On November 23, 2005, Moss appeared before York Magistrates charged with harassment. He was given a 12-month suspended prison sentence and a restraining order was also made against him, forcing him to stay away from Mrs Helstrip

On January 6, 2006, Moss appeared before York magistrates charged with harassment and breaching the restraining order. He was given a four-month suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay Mrs Helstrip £1,000 compensation and £50 court costs. His restraining order was varied, prohibiting him from "contacting Theresa Helstrip directly or indirectly by any means whatsoever" and preventing him from entering the city centre or anywhere near her home

On January 26, 2006, Moss appeared before York magistrates charged with breaching the restraining order. He was sentenced to five months in prison, which included four months previously suspended

On April 21, 2006, Moss pleaded guilty to breaching the restraining order at York magistrates. He was remanded in custody to await sentencing.

:: Mail menace

THERESA Helstrip's most recent letter from Moss, sent following his release from prison, says: "Please don't report me to the police. I didn't mean to see you really. I know you don't believe me. I beg you. Please help me, help me please. Stephen

Another says: "Tuesday, initially and principally, and now Friday, the catalogue of my criminal intent is endless."

:: What help is available

THE Network for Surviving Stalking (NSS) is a registered charity dedicated to providing help, support and information for those affected by stalking and harassment.

NSS was founded by a young stalking victim from Berkshire called Tracey Morgan, who was subjected to a terrifying of harassment spanning almost ten years.

It aims to provide support to victims, potential victims and others affected by stalking throughout the UK, to raise awareness of the subject and to provide information about stalking and harassment to professionals, relevant agencies and the public.

It is believed that many thousands more feel unable to report their allegations.

The charity has this advice for people who fear they are being stalked: Contact the local police; inform friends, neighbours and colleagues of what is happening, they can also keep a record of sightings and suspicious incidents for you, as well as supporting and protecting you; Keep a diary of what happens; record any incident you are suspicious of and carry a mobile phone with you. For more information, visit the NSS website at www.nss.org.uk

Updated: 08:46 Monday, April 24, 2006