Man stalked flight attendant after dating app match, falsely claimed MI5 role
Elliot McLelland, a 24-year-old man, has been sentenced for stalking a Ryanair flight attendant after the pair initially connected on the dating app Grindr. The disturbing case unfolded at Liverpool Magistrates' Court, revealing a campaign of harassment that lasted approximately three years and severely impacted the victim's life.
False claims and escalating harassment
McLelland matched with his victim, Riley Taylor, on Grindr in May 2023. Their conversations began consensually but quickly took a sinister turn. McLelland made outlandish claims that he worked for MI5, the UK's domestic security agency, and had been sent from London to investigate corruption at Liverpool John Lennon Airport related to a bomb scare in Kensington.
He boasted to Mr. Taylor that he had "the power to arrest everyone at the airport" and alleged that a bomb had arrived on a Ryanair flight. When questioned about his frequent presence at the airport without boarding flights, McLelland provided excuses such as cancelled flights or needing to care for an ill relative.
From online messages to in-person stalking
After Mr. Taylor blocked McLelland on Grindr, the harassment moved to email, where McLelland revealed he had hacked into Mr. Taylor's phone and obtained his home address. The stalking then escalated to in-person encounters.
McLelland repeatedly appeared at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, catching the same bus as Mr. Taylor and showing up at locations where the flight attendant was present, including the airport Starbucks and on the 500 bus in the city centre. Mr. Taylor reported seeing McLelland after returning from a flight to Tenerife and during an incident at the Greggs inside the airport.
Psychological impact and legal proceedings
Mr. Taylor described how the stalking "caused severe and enduring psychological and physical injuries" and resulted in him losing his job and home. He began taking taxis to and from work due to fears of being followed and worried McLelland might be "part of a wider group."
Airport police eventually intervened after being notified about McLelland's presence. When officers discovered his claim about waiting for a flight to Malaga was false, McLelland attempted to flee but was arrested.
Court sentencing and mitigation
McLelland, of Ionic Road in Old Swan, pleaded guilty to a single count of stalking without fear, alarm or distress between May 1, 2023 and July 26, 2023. He had initially failed to appear for sentencing in November 2025, leading to a bench warrant, and was arrested in March.
In mitigation, defense lawyer George White explained that McLelland had a traumatic childhood involving domestic abuse and feelings of isolation after coming out as gay. The court heard McLelland was homeless at the time of the offenses and had been "residing outside the airport."
Magistrates described the offending as "persistent and sophisticated" but sentenced McLelland to four months in prison, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation days and 200 hours of unpaid work, and received a five-year restraining order against Mr. Taylor.
McLelland, who has no previous convictions, told police "no comment" during questioning but later expressed understanding of the adverse effects of his behavior and took responsibility for his actions.
