Imagine moving into a new place, hoping for a peaceful living situation, only to find yourself trapped in a nightmare.
This was the harsh reality for Lin Eriksen, who faced relentless harassment from her ex-police officer landlord, Terry Cooke.
In a distressing turn of events, Lin recently opened up about her terrifying experience, where her safety and comfort were constantly undermined.
The Start of a Disturbing Relationship
Lin, a 29-year-old therapeutic practitioner, initially sought a room to rent in Basingstoke during weekends while working in London.
In October 2021, she came across Cooke’s listing on Spareroom.
At first, she thought he was just a friendly landlord.
“My partner and I assumed he was simply trying to connect with potential tenants,” she explained.
However, after Cooke declined to rent her the room, Lin didn’t hear from him again until November 2022, when she reached out again, now single.
Crossing Boundaries
Once she moved in, things quickly escalated. Lin described how Cooke’s behavior shifted from friendly to invasive.
“At first, I thought he was just being overly nice,” she recalled, “but then the messages took a darker turn.”
Cooke bombarded her with inappropriate texts, asking for sex and suggesting they shower together.
“I repeatedly told him this was inappropriate,” Lin emphasized.
“I wanted a tenant-landlord relationship, but it felt impossible.”
The Distress Deepens
As the harassment continued, Lin found herself increasingly uncomfortable in her own home.
She began avoiding him entirely, even opting to stay at her ex-partner’s house to escape.
“It became unbearable. My friends were genuinely scared for my safety,” she shared.
Cooke even prohibited Lin from locking her door, insisting that it was to allow his cat to roam freely. “It was a nightmare living there,” she admitted.
A Fearful Confrontation
The situation reached a boiling point on March 1, 2023, when Cooke knocked on her door at midnight.
“I had been hiding in my room all day,” Lin recounted.
“When I heard him knocking, I was terrified he would come into my room.”
She stayed silent, fearing the worst. After enduring the harassment for five months, Lin finally contacted the police the next morning, leading to Cooke’s arrest.
Justice Served
Cooke was subsequently found guilty of harassment without violence, receiving a two-year restraining order from Portsmouth Crown Court.
His actions had consequences: he was sentenced to a 12-month community order, 25 rehabilitation days, and fined.
Cooke’s past was equally troubling, having been dismissed from Hampshire Constabulary in 2021 for pursuing vulnerable women while on duty.
“It’s horrifying to think someone meant to protect others is capable of such behavior,” Lin reflected.
Moving Forward
Though Lin’s ordeal was harrowing, she’s hopeful that sharing her story will encourage others in similar situations to speak out.
“It’s important to shed light on these issues,” she concluded.
While she’s escaped the nightmare, Lin’s experience serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers that can lurk behind seemingly innocent facades.
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