Man who abused woman along Balham Hill sent to prison for six weeks

A man has been sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to harassing a woman in the street.

Max Ronaldson, 25 (14.12.95) of Clapham Common South Side, Lambeth appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court on Friday, 19 March.

On 25 January, a woman noticed Ronaldson leering at her as she walked home along Balham Hill, SW12.

When she challenged him, Ronaldson responded by hurling abuse at her and following her down the street before eventually threatening to break into her house to rape her.

On Friday, 12 February, the victim was again walking on Balham Hill.

As she crossed Cavendish Road, she was spotted by Ronaldson who again started jeering at her, but as he moved toward her two members of the public stepped in and he made off.

On Sunday, 21 February, the victim was approached by Ronaldson for a third time.

During this incident, he got a mobile phone out and started filming her while making degrading and offensive remarks. She then got her own phone out and took four pictures of the man who is now known to be Ronaldson.

The pictures were circulated to others officers which led to his identification.

Ronaldson was subsequently arrested and charged with two offences: threatening behaviour likely to cause harassment alarm or distress and a further offence of causing harassment without violence.

He pleaded guilty to both offences at court.

Detective Constable Richard Roberts, of South West CID, said: "We take this kind of behaviour very seriously.

"The victim was simply walking along the street when she was subjected to unwanted and unpleasant harassment. She had the strength of character to challenge this outrageous behaviour and to report it to the police.

"When she was harassed again, she was calm and had the presence of mind to take photos of the man which helped the investigation enormously.

"I would urge anyone being targeted to immediately report it as this type of behaviour is unacceptable and it is a criminal offence.

"Your report will be taken seriously and investigated as far as the evidence will take us.

"This will help us to take offenders like Ronaldson off the streets of London and make our city a safer place for all."