A FARMER whose faces having to move home to escape her sex pervert neighbour says she feels a "glimmer of hope" after two politicians agreed to look at her case.

Stalking victim Mandy Dunford has met separately with North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan and Richmond MP Rishi Sunak.

After the meetings, Mr Sunak said "common sense had not prevailed" in the case which has left Ms Dunford feeling as if she has no choice but to pack her belongings ready to flee.

For nine years, Ms Dunford, 54, who owns a smallholding at Chop Gate, near Stokesley, North Yorkshire, was hounded by neighbour Ken Ward.

The 67-year-old would expose himself and perform sex acts on an almost daily basis.

On other occasions, Ms Dunford would find the gun fanatic and military historian standing on "sentry duty" outside her window wearing army fatigues and shouldering a rifle.

When Ward was finally jailed in 2011, police and prosecutors recommended he should not be allowed home, however a judge ruled that he could return to his dilapidated cottage.

He has since been released from prison on licence and will be allowed to go home when this expires next year.

Ms Dunford is desperate to keep him away, saying she will have no choice but to leave if he does return.

While they are sympathetic and believe he does pose a risk to her, North Yorkshire Police have told the farmer there is little they can do.

Officers have even offered the victim £5,000 to secure her home and suggested she installs a panic room.

In a bid to find a way to keep Ward away, Ms Dunford met with Mrs Mulligan on Thursday.

Ms Dunford, 54, said: "I felt the commissioner did listen. She was very down to earth which I didn't expect.

"She said she couldn't guarantee that she could do anything but she would certainly do what she could.

"She said she certainly wasn't there to defend the police and she was well aware of the horrendous failings that I had suffered. She thinks something has gone wrong within the CPS and she will do all she possibly can."

Ms Dunford also held a meeting with the new Richmond MP Rishi Sunak.

He told the Echo: "I've met with Mandy and sympathise entirely with her situation.

"Common sense doesn't seem to have prevailed here. I am looking into the details of the case to see what we can do to change things for the better."

Ms Dunford said the MP told her he will do what he can.

"I've never been that hopeful but for once I do see a glimmer of hope," she added.