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A stalker who wore a Spider-man mask while terrorising his victim has been unmasked in court.
Mason Rogers, 22, began stalking a woman on February 2024, leaving a limited edition Valentine’s Day figurine outside her home.
He then continued to harass her with unwanted gifts at her home in Hailsham, Sussex, over a 10-month period, leaving more gifts and keeping a detailed account of his plans to torment her further.
Following the initial present, the 22-year-old, from Marsden Road, Eastbourne posted a second package through her letterbox in the early hours of August 26, which included a book based on a TV programme she liked as a child.
Mason Rogers, 22, was charged with stalking a woman while wearing a Spider-Man mask (Picture: Sussex Police)
Tucked away inside the book, which was wrapped in wrapping paper, contained a note which read ‘happy six months and seventeen days since’ – the amount of time which had passed since the figurine had been left.
A QR code tucked away inside the book also linked to a segment of the TV programme titled ‘My Stalker’.
After receiving the first package, the victim installed a doorbell camera outside her front door, and was shocked to discover Rogers wearing a Spider-Man mask and a baseball cap to conceal his identity when dropping off the unwanted gifts.
The masked stalker emerged once again in December, and was caught on camera delivering another package along with a card which read: ‘Happy ten months and sixteen days since you found out you had a stalker’.
After identifying Rogers as a suspect, police searched his home and found the victim’s name and headphones matching those worn by the person in CCTV footage.
There was also a diary that contained notes about the victim and information on her personal life, including ideas for further gifts he planned to buy her.
Rogers gave no comment in police interviews after being arrested but was later charged.
Police identified Rogers by his headphones and trainers (Picture: Sussex Police / SWNS)
Appearing at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Friday, Rogers admitted a charge of stalking involving serious alarm and distress, and will be remanded in custody until his sentencing on January 31.
DCI Kelly Lewis, Sussex Police’s lead for stalking, said: ‘The behaviour of Mason Rogers was deeply concerning.
‘Despite not being known to the victim at all, the parcels he left showed knowledge of her including her home address, her birthday, and things she liked when she was a child.
‘The victim was understandably distressed and I’d like to commend the strength and bravery she showed in reporting this to the police.’
The 22-year-old will be sentenced on January 31 (Picture: Sussex Police / SWNS)
‘Sussex Police are committed to investigating instances of stalking, supporting and safeguarding victims, and relentlessly pursuing offenders.
‘Our Complex Domestic Abuse and Stalking Unit (CDASU) are a specialist team that provides stalking advice and support clinics to officers and staff who are involved in stalking cases.
‘We work closely with our partners Veritas Justice to ensure victims are provided with support and advice.
‘We have a team of stalking support experts located throughout Sussex who are strategically placed to provide officers and staff with support including signposting to the most relevant support service and offering tactical investigative advice.
‘We also have a Stalking and Harassment Service page on the Sussex Police website.
‘This provides a simple online reporting service and advises people what police and partner support is available.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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