Brighton stalker may have more victims, police believe

A Brighton man made obscene threats including rape as he stalked a number of women, making hundreds of creepy phone calls, a court was told.

Ameer Tahir

Sussex Police said: “A Brighton man who targeted female strangers with hundreds of threatening and malicious phone calls has been convicted in court.

“Ameer Tahir, 41, of King’s Road, in Brighton, called his victims at all times of the day and night on a withheld number, making obscene threats including rape and other violent sexual acts.

“He would target them repeatedly, often addressing them directly by name.

“Despite often withholding his number, police were able to trace Tahir and arrest him at his home on Monday 5 December 2022.

“A mobile phone was found during a search of the property and analysis found it had been used to dial the victims using a withheld number.

“Tahir was arrested and released on conditional bail while inquiries continued. During a subsequent search of his address a second mobile phone was found which showed he had continued to target victims while on bail.

“Tahir was charged with 13 counts of stalking, two counts of sending communication conveying indecent or offensive messages, racially aggravated stalking, failure to comply with the sex offenders’ register and possession of a class B drug and remanded in custody.”

At Hove Crown Court on Monday 16 January, he pleaded guilty to all the charges. Judge Jeremy Gold adjourned the case for sentence to Friday 24 March.

Investigator Lucia Calandriello said: “Ameer Tahir terrorised his victims, many of whom had to change their daily routines, instal CCTV cameras and live in fear of being watched or attacked.

“We received a huge number of reports during 2022 from victims giving very similar accounts, with offences stretching back to November 2021.

“I would like to thank all of them for their bravery in coming forward and supporting the investigation through to conviction.

“We also believe Tahir may have further victims who have not yet made reports to us. Anyone who has had contact with Ameer Tahir and received suspicious phone calls is asked to contact police online or via 101, quoting Operation Alder.”