A 36-year-old man from Greater Manchester has been sentenced to eight years in prison after carrying out a shocking stalking campaign in which he created a fake Tinder profile in his ex-partner’s name and lured several people to his home, some under the false impression that she wanted to “fantasise about rape”, the BBC reports.Asad Hussain, also known as Aish Hussain, was convicted of stalking involving causing serious alarm or distress, assault and failing to comply with an order to provide passcodes to electronic devices. A court also imposed a 15-year restraining order against him.According to investigators, Hussain first contacted the woman in April 2024 using the alias “Mick Rennie” on social media.The pair went on to date several times, but the relationship rapidly deteriorated after Hussain allegedly became increasingly controlling.The woman ended the relationship in May after finding his behavior unacceptable. Despite repeated refusals, Hussain continues to try to rekindle the romance.
Fake dating profile used to target victim
After being rejected, Hussain allegedly created a fake Tinder profile using the woman’s photographs and personal details. Through the account, she started inviting strangers to her home and sharing her address and phone number.What started as messages encouraging men to visit her home soon turned into something much more sinister.Several people later told police that they had been informed that the woman wanted to engage in a “rape fantasy” and be “mistreated.” Some people were also told that if she said “no”, it meant she “wanted it more”, The Guardian reports.Over the next few weeks, several men turned up at her door, believing they had been invited by the woman.On one occasion, a man applied pressure to the front door after receiving instructions that it was open but “hard”, breaking a glass panel in the process.In another shocking incident, a stranger entered the property while the woman was at work, unaware that her teenage daughter was alone upstairs.Police believe at least 18 people were tricked into the house, although investigators suspect the actual number may be much higher.
Doorbell footage helped police solve complex case
Cheshire Police launched an investigation in September 2024 after the victim reported the incidents. Detectives initially had little information to work with, as the woman did not know the true identity of “Mick Rennie”.Investigators eventually identified Hussain through footage captured by the victim’s video doorbell. The footage showed a man repeatedly approaching in a white Audi R8, which was later traced to Hussain through vehicle registration and insurance records.Police also uncovered evidence that Hussain used three different mobile phones – one for personal use, one associated with the alias “Mick Rennie”, and another operating a fake Tinder account.Although Hussain was believed to have destroyed the devices after receiving information from the investigation, detectives successfully linked them to him through telecommunications data, which showed that the phones often rang together.Many of the men who were fraudulently called to come to the woman’s house also cooperated with the investigators and provided vital evidence.In her victim impact statement, the woman said the sentence will bring her some peace but cannot erase the trauma inflicted on her and her daughters.“No man has the right to make me feel unsafe in my own home because I don’t want to go on dates with him anymore,” The Guardian quoted her as saying. She said she is still concerned about how many people have her address and believe the false claims made online.Describing the case as one of the most disturbing and technically complex stalking investigations conducted by the force, investigators said the conviction sends a clear message that criminals who use digital platforms to harass and terrorize victims can and will be tracked down.