Stalked to
He didn’t have any friends and was a bit of a loner
When Molly Mclaren met Joshua Stimpson on Tinder she thought she’d found her perfect match. The pair had chatted online for three months before finally meeting in person in November 2016.
Student Molly, 23, was so enamoured with the 25-year-old warehouse worker that she introduced him to her family and he would spend hours at her home.
He confided that he suffered from bipolar disorder and Molly – who battled bulimia as a teenager – hoped they would be able to help each other.
But, as time went on, Molly’s family noticed the couple’s relationship change.
Her dad Doug said: “It seemed as though he didn’t have any friends and was a bit of a loner.
“He just wanted her to himself and wasn’t interested in making new friends or even dealing with Molly’s friends.”
Joshua quit his warehouse job to spend more time with Molly and would often turn up at her house and lay on her bed while she studied.
He gradually became more controlling, not wanting her to dance at parties and even recording her during arguments so he could play her words back to her.
In July 2017, Molly ended the relationship but Joshua refused to accept it and posted abusive comments, also accusing Molly of being a drug addict.
Terrified, she contacted police who told her to block him online and report any further abuse.
Then he turned up at a restaurant where she’d arranged to meet friends.
Molly thought it was a coincidence but was horrified when he appeared at her
HAPPIER TIMES: Molly and Joshua gym in Chatham, Kent, the next day, to calmly work out right next to her.
Once she’d watched him leave the gym, Molly headed for her car – but Joshua was waiting for her.
He stabbed her 75 times and was later seen in a bloodied white vest top saying: “She’s in the car. I’ve killed her.”
At Maidstone crown court, Joshua pleaded not guilty to murder, claiming diminished responsibility, but he was found guilty and jailed for life with a minimum of 26 years.
The court heard that he had been treated at a mental health clinic following his parents break- up and had a “hypersensitivity to any rejection”.
Molly’s mum Jo said: “He wouldn’t look at me throughout the trial but on the last day, he made eye contact. There was nothing there, just a cold, callous being. He showed no remorse.”
SCARY: Stalker by Molly in gym
BLOODIED: By car
ARREST: Police arrive
SHOCKING: Weapons used
GRIEVING: Family outside court