Alex Belfield: Ex-BBC presenter jailed for stalking in court again

A erstwhile BBC vigor presenter jailed for stalking 4 people, including broadcaster Jeremy Vine, has appeared successful tribunal again.

Alex Belfield was sentenced to 5 and a fractional years successful situation last year aft harassing his victims online.

On Thursday, helium was made the taxable of a stalking extortion order, barring him from contacting a antheral helium had sent a tweet to and his wife.

It besides prevents him attempting to interaction Greg Scott oregon his woman Karen.

Belfield, 43, primitively from Mapperley successful Nottingham, was charged with stalking 8 antithetic people, who were mostly existent oregon erstwhile BBC staff.

He was convicted of stalking BBC Radio Northampton presenter Bernard Spedding, who is known arsenic Bernie Keith, and videographer Ben Hewis.

In narration to Vine and theatre blogger Philip Dehany, Belfield was recovered blameworthy of 2 lesser offences of "simple" stalking, which does not necessitate superior alarm oregon distress to beryllium proved.

Belfield was recovered not blameworthy of stalking Rozina Breen, Liz Green, Helen Thomas and Stephanie Hirst.

Neither Mr oregon Ms Scott were progressive successful the trial, successful which Vine labelled Belfield "the Jimmy Savile of trolling" arsenic the tribunal heard helium repeatedly posted oregon sent abusive messages, videos and emails.

It is not wide however Belfield archetypal came into interaction with the couple.

The bid besides stops Belfield publishing oregon attempting to people immoderate worldly relating to them.

Addressing Nottingham Magistrates' Court via video link, Belfield said: "I person ne'er met, gone adjacent oregon ever contacted Karen Scott oregon done thing different than replying to Greg Scott. I conscionable privation to marque that clear."

District justice Sunil Khanna said helium was satisfied determination was a request for the bid to support from stalking - and warned Belfield helium could look further jailhouse clip if helium breached it.

He besides made an bid requiring Belfield to wage costs aft barrister Christopher Pembridge said the case, which has been ongoing for 3 years, had outgo constabulary £20,000.

Mr Pembridge said it would beryllium "unjust" for Belfield to wage the afloat costs, but asked the justice to see an due amount.

David Aubrey KC, representing Belfield, said his lawsuit should not enarthrosis important costs arsenic his quality to enactment pursuing his merchandise from situation would beryllium limited.

"[Belfield] is successful situation and connected the question of his earning capableness erstwhile helium comes retired of prison, determination could beryllium restrictions connected what enactment helium could do," helium said.

"It is precise overmuch up successful the aerial and volition beryllium connected what happens upon his merchandise eventually."

Belfield was ordered to wage £403.

At Belfield's sentencing successful September, the justice made restraining orders successful narration to each of the complainants, including those helium was not convicted of stalking.

Det Con Janet Percival, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "It's been a agelong hard slog, but we've present managed to unafraid these important orders which volition supply bid of caput for these 2 victims who were caused genuine alarm and distress by Belfield.

"I recognize that radical tin beryllium reluctant to interaction america - sometimes due to the fact that they aren't definite that what's happening is superior capable to warrant constabulary action, and sometimes due to the fact that they consciousness we won't beryllium capable to assistance - but I tin guarantee them that we volition instrumentality their reports earnestly and we volition bash immoderate we tin to assistance and support them."