THE Government consider making criminal harassment illegal, with offenders punishable by a maximum prison sentence of five years.

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said a bill would be introduced this year. And stalk would be defined by patterns of behavior occurring over a 12-month period. An offender must have committed three specified acts during this period to be charged.

“The public is clearly concerned about harassment, and we are moving quickly to create a new offense of harassment and harassment as part of our plan to restore law and order,” Goldsmith said.

“It will provide a list of behaviors that may constitute stalking and harassment, including reputational harm, recording, tracking or loitering, and the use of technology in modern methods of harassment.”

Four other changes will also be made to support the new offense: