Stalking victim returns to Ayr in campaign to change the law

Nov 13 2009 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A STALKING victim bidding to change the law has made an emotional return to her home town.

Ann Moulds fled to a secret location after she was subjected to a terrifying four-year ordeal.

But she came back to Ayr this week to make a speech to South Ayrshire Women’s Aid.

Ann is determined to make sure that stalking is taken more seriously in Scotland.

And her campaign is quickly growing momentum.

Ann was sent vile packages and letters from evil Alex Reid, a man she thought was her friend.

But because the matter was treated as a breach of the peace, Reid walked free from Ayr Sheriff Court with probation and community service.

He is now able to get on with his life and has secured employment with a local bakery.

Ann left the town she loves, closed her business, and now uses another name so that Reid cannot trace her.

Since her ordeal ended, Ann has made it her mission to bring the law in Scotland in line with the rest of the UK.

Action Scotland Against Stalking has already been given recognition from the police, politicians, medical experts and charities.

This week, Ann was invited to the Women’s Aid AGM at Ayr’s county buildings.

She told stakeholders: “My experience was in no way unique. I only represent those who had trod the path before me.

“South Ayrshire is by far driving the way forward, and hopefully through time they will provide the model for other areas to follow suit.

“We will continue to raise awareness to stalking crime, with the overall aim of raising a debate at parliamentary level on the effectiveness of Scotland’s legal response in the hope that one day Scotland will criminalise stalking as a crime in its own right.”

Ann is preparing a public petition as her next weapon in the battle against stalking.