Terrified ex of murderer Joshua Stimpson warned police after he stalked her too (2024)

Alexandra Dale warned police three times that killer Stimpson was a danger - he went on to stab Molly McLaren to death

An ex of murderer Joshua Stimpson warned police three times he was a danger after he started stalking her.

Stimpson was jailed for life yesterday after he was found guilty of the murder of former partner Molly McLaren.

The 26-year-old started stalking Molly after she broke up with him and then stabbed her 75 times in her car.

Molly, 23, died in the car park at the Dockside Shopping Centre in Kent on June 29 last year.

It has now emerged another ex Alexandra Dale warned police about Stimpson.

Alexandra, 25, met Stimpson through Facebook and only dated once.

But despite that he bombarded her with texts and calls, threatened to drown her while she was on holiday and slashed all four tyres on her car.

Alexendra, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, said Stimpson would turn up unexpectedly while she was out with friends in clubs and bars.

He took photographs of her without her knowledge and sent them to her, branding her 'a slag' because of her clothing.

Alexandra, scared, informed Staffordshire Police .

She said: "He was being uneasy and on edge. I was a bit wary. I didn't know what was up with him.

"His messages started off as normal but then he got a bit possessive with me and wanted to know where I was.

"He would take pictures of me and ask why I was wearing certain clothing while I was out. He would be abusive and call me a slag.

"I wasn't with him. He would just follow me. It came as a surprise to me. I didn't know he was in the same club as me."

She would also see him driving slowly past her house.

Shortly before she went on holiday in July that year, Stimpson sent Ms Dale a threatening text saying 'I'm going to fly out and drown you'.

On another occasion while she was at a house party, Stimpson constantly rang her and said: "There will be a surprise for you when you get home."

He then added: "If you ever touch my family I'll stab you."

Ms Dale said she felt panicky and arrived home to discover her car tyres had been slashed from top to bottom.

She later saw him driving slowly past her house and she contacted police.

Two weeks later all communication from him stopped abruptly.

"He just stopped. I don't know if it was because he got warned from police but he did so," added Ms Dale.

She added on Facebook: “He did loads of strange stuff.

“He used to follow me up town and push and grab me and make up strange stories in his head.

“He used to threaten me as well saying loads. So I can only imagine what he used to do and say to her."

After breaking up with Stimpson Molly had twice told Kent Police he was stalking her.

Officers did speak to Stimpson but he was left free.

A review into how Kent Police handled the complaints about Stimpson is underway and Staffordshire Police are assisting.

Stimpson was arrested shortly after Molly was stabbed to death covered in blood.

He admitted to killing her but pleaded guilty only to manslaughter, claiming diminished responsibilty.

That was rejected by the jury who found him guilty of murder.

Senior investigating officer Detective Sergeant Ali Worton said: "Molly was a popular and ambitious young woman with her whole life ahead of her but this was stolen by Stimpson in the most brutal way imaginable.

"He has proven to be an extremely dangerous individual and needs to spend a lengthy period of time in prison where he can cause no further harm to innocent people.

"It was clear to the jury and us that Molly’s death was pre-planned and that Stimpson is a cold and calculated killer rather than somebody who does not have the mental capacity to control himself.

"By denying murder and failing to accept responsibility for his actions, he forced Molly’s family and friends to suffer even further distress through the tough ordeal of a crown court trial.

"I would like to pay tribute to Molly’s family for the strength and dignity they have shown throughout and I hope this result is of some comfort.

"I would also like to thank the police officers and ambulance staff who attended the scene of Molly’s death and fought valiantly to save her. They face difficult situations on a daily basis but this was one that will certainly live long in the memory and I am keen that their efforts are recognised.

"Finally I would like to express thanks and recognise the courage of the members of public who tried desperately to stop the attack on Molly."

Judge Adele Williams, sentencing, told Stimpson he may never be released and said: "This was a cruel, calculated and cowardly act. This was an act of wickedness.

"You are a highly-dangerous young man and you will pose a very considerable risk to women for a very considerable period in the future."