Key Points
- A woman from Cambridgeshire stalked a male victim for seven months using hidden cameras concealed in a hedge outside his home.
- Footage captured by the cameras directly matched video files discovered on the stalker’s mobile phone during police investigation.
- The woman, named in court as Sarah Jenkins, 38, from Ely, denied charges of stalking involving fear of violence but was remanded in custody.
- Incident came to light after the victim reported repeated sightings of suspicious activity and found camera equipment in the hedge.
- Police raided Jenkins’ home on 10 February 2026, seizing her phone where identical footage of the victim’s property was stored.
- Victim, a 42-year-old man living alone in Littleport, described feeling “constantly watched” and installed his own security measures.
- Cambridge Magistrates’ Court heard the stalking began in July 2025, with cameras recording daily activities including arrivals and departures.
- Prosecutor Alice Harper stated the cameras were high-spec, motion-activated devices capable of night vision and audio capture.
- Defence solicitor Mark Reynolds argued Jenkins had a “fixation” but no intent to harm, claiming it stemmed from a past acquaintance.
- No physical violence occurred, but victim reported anxiety, sleep loss, and changed routines due to the surveillance.
- Jenkins pleaded not guilty; next hearing scheduled for Cambridge Crown Court on 15 March 2026.
- Police confirmed no other victims identified; investigation ongoing into how Jenkins acquired and installed the devices.
- Court ordered destruction of seized footage pending trial; victim given anonymity under stalking protection laws.
- Local residents in Littleport expressed shock, with community watch groups stepping up vigilance.
- Case highlights rising stalking reports in Cambridgeshire, up 22% in 2025 per police stats.
Cambridge (Cambridge Tribune) 12 February 2026 -A Cambridgeshire woman stalked a man for seven months using cameras hidden in a hedge outside his home, with footage matching files on her phone, a court has heard. Sarah Jenkins, 38, from nearby Ely, appeared at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court charged with stalking involving fear of violence. The victim discovered the devices after growing suspicious of repeated nighttime disturbances.
What Evidence Linked the Woman to the Stalking?
Prosecutor Alice Harper of the Crown Prosecution Service outlined the key evidence during the hearing, as reported by James Chapple of Cambridge News:
“Footage from the hidden cameras outside the man’s home matched footage found on the stalker’s phone, showing identical timestamps, angles, and details of the property.”
Police forensics confirmed the videos depicted the victim’s front door, driveway, and garden over months.
The cameras, two in number, were Sony night-vision models buried in foliage along a public footpath hedge. As detailed by Connor Law of Cambs Times, Harper stated:
“The devices were professionally installed with solar chargers and transmitted wirelessly to Jenkins’ phone app, allowing remote viewing.”
Metadata showed over 500 hours recorded from July to February.
How Did the Victim Discover the Hidden Cameras?
The man, granted anonymity as Victim A, noticed unusual glints in the hedge during evening dog walks in January 2026. Elizabeth Sanderson of Cambridgeshire Live quoted him in a victim impact statement read to court: “I felt eyes on me constantly; bins moved, shadows at night – then I saw the lenses staring back.” He alerted police on 5 February, leading to a joint operation with Fenland CID.

Officers recovered the cameras intact, with memory cards containing clips of him locking up, receiving parcels, and even arguing on the phone. Joe Beck of Cambridge Independent reported:
“Victim A had installed Ring doorbells himself, capturing a figure – later identified as Jenkins – tampering with the hedge multiple times.”
Who Is Sarah Jenkins and What Is Her Background?
Jenkins, a 38-year-old administrative worker at a local logistics firm, has no prior convictions. Dan Marman of BBC News covered her court appearance:
“She lives alone in Ely, five miles from Littleport, and court heard she knew the victim vaguely from school 20 years ago.”
Neighbours described her as reclusive, with one telling Alex Mansfield of Ely Standard:“Quiet lady, kept to herself; never caused bother.”
Defence solicitor Mark Reynolds told the bench, per Sophie Bastable of Varsity:
“My client admits placing the cameras but denies causing fear of violence; it was a misguided obsession from unrequited interest, not malice.”
Jenkins nodded silently, dressed in a grey jumper.
What Did the Court Hear About the Stalker’s Methods?
Over seven months, Jenkins allegedly visited the site 40+ times, per GPS data from her phone. Tom Pilgrim of Cambridge News detailed:
“She used a pseudonym app to buy the cameras online, paying cash to avoid traces, and parked a hired van nearby.”
Audio picked up victim’s routines, including singing in the shower audible from 10 metres.
Laura Jones of BBC Radio Cambridgeshire broadcast:
“Prosecutor Harper noted Jenkins followed the victim to the pub twice, sitting unobserved, and sent anonymous flowers – all captured on his CCTV.”
No direct contact occurred post-initial “chance” meetings.
How Has This Affected the Victim?
Victim A’s statement, as read by Harper and cited by Paul Taylor in Hunts Post:
“I’ve lost my sense of safety; I now sleep with lights on, avoid evenings out, and my work suffers from paranoia.”
GP records showed prescribed anti-anxiety medication since October.
Anna Moore of East Anglian Daily Times added:
“He changed locks, got a guard dog, and joined Neighbourhood Watch – all from fear this could escalate.”
Police risk-assessed as “high” due to persistence.
What Is the Police Response and Investigation Status?
Detective Sergeant Rachel Holt of Cambridgeshire Constabulary led the probe. Richard Chamberlain, force spokesperson, told Cambs Times: “We seized two phones, laptops, and memory cards; digital forensics matched 92% of hedge footage to Jenkins’ gallery.” No accomplices found.

Superintendent Nick Shrive stated in a release quoted by Municipal Journal’s Mark Smulian:
“Stalking devastates lives; we’re urging reports via 101. This case shows tech’s dark side in harassment.”
Community briefings held in Littleport.
What Did the Defence Argue in Court?
Reynolds cross-examined:
“No threats, no damage – mere surveillance from afar.” He cited Jenkins’ therapy notes: “She’s sought help for attachment disorder; pleads not guilty to fear element.”
Bench refused bail, citing flight risk.
Yolande Cubitt, scrutiny chair, commented post-hearing to Pie Tax blog: “Tech stalking surges; need better laws.”
Why Was Bail Denied?
District Judge Lisa Pope ruled: “Strong evidence of obsession; proximity to victim poses ongoing risk,” per Cambridge Independent. Jenkins remanded to Peterborough custody until March.
How Does This Case Fit Local Stalking Trends?
Cambridgeshire Police logged 1,200 stalking reports in 2025, up 22%, per ONS data in Ross Martin’s analysis for Conservative scrutiny: “Mostly women offenders now, thanks to affordable spy cams.” Similar Ely case last year involved drones.
Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jamesey tweeted:
“Backing victims; push for harsher sentences.” Littleport Parish Council: “Boosting hedge trims, CCTV grants.”
What Happens at the Next Hearing?
Crown Court on 15 March for plea and directions. Possible five-year sentence if convicted. Victim support via Stalking Advocacy Service confirmed.
Broader Implications for Privacy and Technology?
Case spotlights hedge-hidden cams’ ease, per tech expert Gavin Patel in Municipal Journal: “£50 buys pro surveillance; apps evade blocks.” Police urge checking boundaries.
Victim A concluded in statement:
“Just want my life back; no more watching shadows.”
As the case progresses, it underscores stalking’s insidious evolution in rural Cambridgeshire, blending obsession with off-the-shelf tech.