A 26-year-old man from Kerala, India, is currently facing deportation from the United Kingdom after persistently stalking a female colleague he worked with at London Zoo. Despite facing multiple arrests and being repeatedly released on bail under strict conditions, Asish Jose Paul continued to contact and approach the woman in violation of legal orders. His actions included sending numerous messages, offering gifts like flowers and chocolates, and making uninvited visits to her workplace, ultimately proposing to her against her will. The sustained harassment occurred over a six-month period between July and December of the previous year.
Paul, who had been pursuing a master's degree in accounting and finance at Anglia Ruskin University and was working at a café inside the zoo, met the woman during his employment there. After she blocked him and attempted to distance herself, he repeatedly violated bail conditions that prohibited him from contacting her or entering specific areas, including London Zoo and the Borough of Westminster. Despite being arrested and warned multiple times, Paul returned to the zoo on three different occasions, once telling park authorities that he was "in love" with his former colleague.
The woman has since expressed deep emotional distress, revealing that the ongoing harassment has left her anxious and fearful, making her feel unsafe even in public spaces. She now relies on others for support and avoids being alone due to the psychological impact of the stalking. The court, while acknowledging the victim's experience, also heard from Paul’s defence lawyer, who argued that his actions were influenced by underlying mental health issues and possible learning disabilities, suggesting that his level of responsibility was diminished.
The court ultimately sentenced Paul to a six-month prison term, which has been suspended for twelve months, meaning he would serve jail time if he repeated the offence within that period. Additionally, he has been issued a ten-year restraining order to prevent further contact with the woman. During sentencing, the judge sternly warned Paul that failure to comply with these orders could result in a prison sentence of up to five years. He also noted inconsistencies in Paul’s claims about being the sole breadwinner for his family, which were not supported by other statements. With Paul’s current visa set to expire on September 13, 2025, the judge concluded that he now qualifies for deportation unless he obtains a new visa.
