Who is Daniel Dugdale and how long was he sentenced for sending ex-partner Megan Brailsford death and rape threats?

DANIEL Dugdale subjected his ex-girlfriend to the most horrific campaign of sadistic harassment after she dumped him for cheating on her.

Here we take a look at the , which are featured in an episode of 24 Hours in Police Custody.

Who is Daniel Dugdale?

Daniel Dugdale is a 31-year-old man from Cambridgeshire who was convicted for orchestrating an extended and escalating campaign of harassment against his .

After she broke up with him, he subjected the veterinary nurse to months of relentless stalking and abuse — including sending her death and rape threats, as well as other malicious messages.

The horrific three-month campaign of harassment included telling Megan’s mum and best friend that she had died, as well as threatening to kill her beloved Siberian husky named Ocean.

Dugdale sent Megan pictures of dead dogs resembling Ocean on.

He also tried to ruin her career by contacting the and asking for her to be taken off the register.

Dugdale bombarded her with silent phone calls — calling her up to once every four seconds.

He even attempted to present himself as a victim to police and others, further complicating the investigation.

In February 2023, in response to one of Dugdale’s sickening schemes, armed police turned up at Megan’s door saying she’d been reported for murdering her kids and burying them in a ditch.

Megan’s two children were sound asleep in their beds — a fact the authorities soon realised.

Officers raced to Megan’s home in their police van with their blue lights flashing and sirens sounding after a person claiming to be her posted on Cambridgeshire’s live web chat.

They wrote: “I’ve killed my kids... I need your help... I’ve buried them on the dog walking trail.”;

In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Megan said: “I felt sick to my stomach.

“I couldn’t believe someone would do that. Being woken late at night to loud banging was terrifying.”;

The abuse left Megan in constant fear for her life and the safety of her family, impacting her so profoundly she lost around 2 stone of weight.

I’m so angry about what he did — all because I broke up with him

Megan Brailsford

She said: “I was too scared to leave the house. I bought panic alarms for myself and the children. It was hell.

“I told the kids, ‘If a stranger ever comes up to you, press this.’ I was constantly looking over my shoulder.”;

Dugdale was eventually linked to the crimes through evidence found on Megan’s phone records, leading to his arrest in March 2023.

During police interviews, he admitted he was trying to hurt Megan so she would need him.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking involving alarm or distress and to perverting the course of justice.

In April 2023, Daniel Dugdale was sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court to three years and nine months in prison for his actions.

Megan said: “I went to court for sentencing and looked at him, but he didn’t look at me or my family once.”;

“He didn’t look remorseful, just blank. For months Dan made my life hell. To discover it was him all along makes my blood boil.

“I hope now that I’m rid of him for good, I can finally move on.

“I’ve been left traumatised and was forced to move house and change my workplace.

“Had he not been caught, at the rate it was all escalating, I think it would’ve got a lot worse.

“I’m so angry about what he did — all because I broke up with him.

“I’ve been diagnosed with depression and anxiety.

“I didn’t think he was clever enough to do something like this, but he’s actually a really clever man.”;

24 Hours in Police Custody: The Murder Messages

The callous case is investigated in Channel 4’s 24 Hours in Police Custody.

Megan opens up about the ordeal and profound impact Dugdale’s actions had on her life.

Things got so bad she was forced to move house and change her workplace to feel safe.

You can catch 24 Hours in Police Custody: The Murder Messages on at 10 pm on Sunday, July 20, 2025.