R v Alan Putland

R v Alan Putland

The judge was entitled to place harm in the highest category based on the victim's vulnerability and the evidence of very serious distress caused by the stalking behaviour; expert evidence was not required for this assessment.

Parties
Respondent: Rex; Applicant: Alan Putland
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
02 September 2026
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Renewed Application for Leave to Appeal Sentence
Outcome
application for leave to appeal refused
Legal Topics
Sentencing, Stalking, Protection From Harassment, Assessment of Harm, Victim Personal Statements
Criminal Law Sentencing Stalking Protection From Harassment Assessment of Harm Victim Personal Statements

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Parties

Rex

Respondent

Alan Putland

Applicant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Renewed Application for Leave to Appeal Sentence

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the judge erred in placing harm into the highest category for sentencing purposes
  2. 2 Whether reliance on inadmissible victim personal statement information affected the assessment of harm
  3. 3 Whether expert evidence was required to conclude very severe distress or psychological injury

Ratio Decidendi

The judge was entitled to place harm in the highest category based on the victim's vulnerability and the evidence of very serious distress caused by the stalking behaviour; expert evidence was not required for this assessment.

Court Disposition

application for leave to appeal refused