A disturbing story unfolded recently as an ex-convict, Ilya Bass, from Gorseinon, found himself entangled in a worrying case of stalking involving a nurse he met over a decade ago while serving time at HMP Swansea. Obsessed and persistent, Bass tracked the victim to her new home even after she moved to escape his advances, leaving her feeling unsettled and changing her routine to avoid him.
The pair first crossed paths during her nursing placement at the prison in 2013, where all they exchanged were casual greetings. Fast-forward to recent years, and Bass’s unwanted attention intensified. From incessant calls to unwanted gifts on Valentine’s Day, he stopped at nothing to keep in touch, even managing to locate her by tracking her car’s personalised plates.
The situation escalated to the point where an image of the victim’s car outside her new house was found on Bass’s phone by the police. His unsettling campaign forced the victim to cease visits to her favourite pub, The Station Hotel, where Bass would attempt to engage her in conversation, unsettling her further.
In court, Bass pleaded guilty to “simple stalking” after denying the more severe charge of stalking causing fear or distress. With a history of prior convictions, the court sentenced him to 18 weeks in prison, though he may be released imminently due to time already served on remand. Furthermore, he is now subject to an indefinite restraining order, prohibiting any contact with the victim.
The case highlights the severe impact of obsessive behaviour and the importance of enforcing protective measures to safeguard those being harassed. Let’s hope that justice provides some peace of mind for the victim in this troubling saga.