A teen who was terrified after being stalked by her first driving teacher has passed her test, putting an end to her trauma, she says.
On Sunday, Maisie Relph, now 19 years old, passed with only three minors and rejoiced with her pals.
The psychology in education student at the University of York began learning to drive near her Bromley, south-east London, residence.
Last year, her instructor, Graham Mansie, began stalking her, and her classes took a sinister turn.
According to court testimony, he lavished presents on Ms. Relph, created bogus social media accounts to “catfish” her, and hired dark web hackers.
Maisie Relph re-learned how to drive with a female teacher, then took and passed a test in secret. She exclaimed, “I’m so pleased; I can’t stop grinning.” This really puts a period after his name.
Graham Mansie created a TikTok account titled ‘For Maisie’ with the bio’my favorite’ and a red heart emoji. In addition, he sought her out for drinks and showered her with unwanted gifts while acting as a first-year student on WhatsApp.
Ms. Relph reported Mansie to the police, and in May, Mansie, now 53, pleaded to stalking in court but escaped jail time.
In September, he was sentenced to 20 months in prison for violating the terms of his restraining order after being found with blades outside the student’s apartment.
Despite her previous driving experiences, Ms. Relph opted to begin driving lessons with instructor Jenny Williams.
She subsequently took a test in secret and passed, which, according to her, has provided her with closure.
Ms. Relph exclaimed, “I’m so pleased; I can’t stop grinning.”
It’s actually put a period after his name. It was such a wonderful deed.
Nobody anticipated that I would take my exam. They were completely dumbfounded. I did not inform anyone that I had taken it. I despised the strain.
I was quite anxious about resuming my lessons, but I refused to let it all get the best of me. I simply decided to confront it head-on.
“My new instructor was correct when she mentioned that I had endured far worse than passing my test. Facing Graham in court was the most terrifying experience I’ve ever had.
“I just summoned all of my resolve and tenacity to take my exam, and I’m so glad I did.
“I wouldn’t have had the confidence to take it if my new instructor hadn’t been so kind and encouraging. I definitely owe her gratitude.
I would like to encourage anyone in a similar circumstance to be strong, determined, and tough, to continue doing the things they want to do, and to find safe ways to do so.
Ms. Relph described facing Mansie in court as “the scariest thing” she has ever done.
In January, she attempted to resume driving lessons with a new teacher but was forced to discontinue due to her ordeal.
Ms. Relph ceased booking and attending lessons in May, while the case was pending in court.
However, when she was required to retake her theory exam in October, she began to consider her practical test and returned to the wheel.
Ms. Relph stated that she could never have had another male instructor, but she knew that her examination in Walton, West Yorkshire, near Wakefield, would be administered by a man examiner.
She stated, “My exam was the first time I had been alone in a car with a male since.” It was terrifying.
It evoked so many recollections of things Graham had done and said. I believe that and the exam were equally terrifying.
I knew I had no choice but to confront it; all I could do was try not to dwell on it. I could not have succeeded with another male instructor.
Mansie allegedly stalked Ms. Relph for four months between July and October of last year.
He made a TikTok account titled ‘For Maisie’ with the bio’my favorite’ and a red heart emoji.
In addition, he invited her out for drinks and showered her with inappropriate presents while acting as a male first-year student on WhatsApp.
He also lost hundreds of pounds attempting to pay cybercriminals to breach her social media accounts.
In May of this year, Mansie, from Beckenham in south-east London, pleaded guilty to one count of stalking and was given an eight-week suspended sentence.
The York crown court was then informed that the stalker drove 220 miles to the city barely nine days later.
Upon returning from work around 11 p.m., one of Ms. Relph’s roommates reportedly observed Mansie rocking on the grass under her window.
The terrified students contacted security, who discovered wounds on his wrists; he then surrendered Stanley blades. The cops discovered other blades, the court was informed.
On September 21, Mansie was sentenced to 20 months in prison for violating his restraining order.
All sentences were to run concurrently: 16 months for violation of a restraining order, two months for possession of blades, and the activation of his two-month suspended term.