London Zoo stalker who bombarded female colleague with messages, flowers and chocolates before proposing to her faces deportation

Daily Mail​

3 days ago

A London Zoo employee who stalked his female colleague and bombarded her with messages, flowers and chocolates before proposing to her faces deportation.
Asish Jose Paul, 26, was warned to stay away from Lutaruta Masiulonyte after he spent six months between July 7 and December 30 last year pestering his former co-worker, showering her with gifts when she blocked his number.
The accountancy student, originally from Kerala, India, was given police bail on his arrest and warned not to go back to the zoo.
But he returned the very next day to speak with Ms Masiulonyte.
Jose Paul was then re-arrested, charged with stalking and given bail magistrates with conditions not to enter the Borough of Westminster or contact the complainant.
The stalker headed straight back to the zoo, however, and was arrested once again.
He was again bailed with a condition not to go within 50 metres of London Zoo but visited the tourist attraction once more, explaining to Royal Park attendants that he was 'in love' with his former colleague.
Jose Paul was given a six-month prison sentence suspended for twelve months, at Southwark Crown Court, and will have to complete 20 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement.
The accountancy student, originally from Kerala, India, was given police bail on his arrest and warned not to go back to the zoo, pictured, but he returned the very next day
Recorder Jas Jandu also issued a ten year restraining order and said that Paul could face deportation after the defendant admitted stalking involving serious alarm or distress.
The court heard Paul studied for a Masters' degree in accounting and finance at Anglia Ruskin University between 2022 and 2023.
He had been working in the cafe at London Zoo and met the victim there.
Jose Paul appeared for his sentencing hearing wearing a light blue t-shirt and white trousers.
In a victim impact Ms Masiulonyte said: 'This incident has taken a toll on me emotionally and psychologically.
'The harassment was going on for so long it drained me. I feel scared and anxious being in London. My friends and family are worried for me and for my safety.
'I feel anxious all the time. I feel frustrated. I repeated myself so many times I started to question whether I was the problem.
'I lost my independence through the harassment. I have to rely on someone to be with me to feel safe.'
But Georgina Lane, defending said: 'There is no evidence that very serious distress was caused.
'I am not diminishing the level of distress that was caused, but when one considers the array of offences that come before this court, including violence and threats, very serious distress was not caused.
'The defendant's responsibility is substantially reduced due to a mental disorder and learning disabilities.
'He has suffered a lot in prison and he has learned his lesson. Perhaps it took for him to be remanded in custody for it to hit home for Mr Paul.
'He completed a degree in business administration in India, and he obtained a masters degree in accounting and finance. He has good future career prospects and he hopes to obtain a job as a financial analyst.'
Sentencing Paul, Judge Jandu said: 'You tried to befriend her by paying her a lot of attention. You obtained her number by means unknown to her... You began contacting her via text.
'You approached her at work and asked her why she was not replying to your messages. She made it clear that she was uncomfortable and blocked your number.'
Eventually Jose Paul was dismissed from his job, but that didn't stop him from trying to contact her again.
'You attended her work place with flowers and gifts,' the judge added. You approached her colleagues to obtain further information about her.'
After Paul was arrested, his mother tried to contact Ms Masiulonyte.
Judge Jandu said: 'It appears in this case that she also received messages from your mother. You confessed to having used three SIM cards and a friend's mobile phone to contact her.
'She explains the emotional and psychological toll that this took on her. She tried to tell you to stop but you would not listen.
'She says that she is angry and frustrated that you would not acknowledge her boundaries despite her repeating herself. She has also had to change her work location.
'She says that she is worried as she does not know what you are capable of.'
He added: 'A polite smile is not an invitation to anything further. It went from small talk to a declaration of love to a proposal.'
In his pre-sentence report it was claimed that Jose Paul has symptoms consistent with autism.
But the judge said that he was sceptical of the defendant's claim he is the main breadwinner in his family.
'Your family say that you are the sole breadwinner,' he said. 'But you also say that you are supported by your family. Those two things seem to cancel each other out as far as I am concerned.'
Sentencing the stalker, he added: 'You have to leave her alone, Mr Paul, do you understand? Or it could be up to five years in prison.
'Your visa is due to expire on 13 September 2025. You meet the requirements for deportation unless you are granted a new visa.'
Judge Jandu made no order for costs.