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A stalker has been allowed to return home and live next door to the young woman he terrorised for almost two years.

Darren Blee, 22, followed Pippa Dowson day and night since she was 18, hiding in bushes and jumping out in front of her car.

He even told police: “I can’t stop myself.”

He was remanded in custody to await sentence after he admitted stalking.

But a judge ruled he could stay with his parents after banning him from contacting Pippa for five years.

Pippa said: “It’s been absolutely terrifying.

"My life has been ruined for nearly two years and he just got a slap on the wrist.

"His feelings were taken into consideration over mine.”

Blee, of Truro, Cornwall, was also given a nine-month suspended sentence and 100 hours of unpaid work.