Stalker had ‘caring paternal intent’ towards teenager

A middle-aged stalked who relentlessly pursued a schoolgirl by showering her with gifts has been jailed. Stephen Clarke, 48, gave the 14-year-old north London schoolgirl two letters expressing his desire to be with her, money and a necklace. Thames Magistrates Court heard how Clarke first became obsessed with the girl when seeing her outside of a shop on 1 December last year. He then proceeded to stalk her and approached her on three separate occasions, giving her letters calling her…