Speaking after the verdicts, Sheryl Monk from the Crown Prosecution Service said: "Stalking is a very serious crime that has a severe impact on its victims. >? = The BBC reports Alex Belfield, . Port Vale F.C. READ MORE: The cinemas in Northamptonshire showing the Queen's funeral on Monday for free, Jurors accepted Belfield caused serious alarm or distress to two victims and found him guilty of simple stalking in relation to Channel 5 and BBC Radio 2 presenter Mr Vine and theatre blogger Philip Dehany. Alex Belfield, who now runs a YouTube channel, stalked his victims by harassing them online. Bernard Spedding - guilty (majority verdict), Philip Dehany - not guilty to the charge on the indictment but guilty of the alternative charge of "simple" stalking (majority verdict), Jeremy Vine - not guilty to the charge on the indictment but guilty of the alternative charge of "simple" stalking (unanimous verdict). Alex Belfield repeatedly posted abusive social media messages after his BBC contract wasn't renewed (Picture: PA) . In August Belfield, of Mapperley, was convicted of stalking to cause alarm and distress to BBC Radio Northampton's Bernie Keith, and guilty of the same charge concerning videographer Ben Hewis. (takes 20 seconds to download full statement plus call to Hewis). Mr Vine faced a torrent of abuse online, including thousands of social media messages from Belfields followers and personal threats. "He said he could see their distress in court and feels deeply sorry for what he did.". Belfield was also convicted of the simple stalking of theatre blogger Philip Dehany, who suffered a vicious campaign of abuse. The post was shared shortly before 3pm on Friday, March 3, and has already had more than 200 responses. Presenter Iain Lee has since come out to say Belfield targeted him for many years, but that he was too frightened to go to court to give evidence. Instantly disprovable lies published by Ben Hewis. \Mb+r'rS~(aU\voP GCK16X0v04p62h,3 0b``f:(x3j=)\-u`IL! Some believe he relied on others as media monitors and had sources within the BBC itself: he seemed to know everything discussed on each of their radio shows every day, along with a number of internal matters. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. He has also been convicted of stalking Bernie Keith and videographer Ben Hewis. This apology does not make it OK. Belfield had harassed this victim, BBC Radio Northampton presenter Bernard Spedding, for nine years and some of his followers had sent him death threats. Regardless, the judge clearly considered him a threat. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Alex Belfields online harassment made life misery for BBC presenters Jeremy Vine, Liz Green and many others. To those who had been monitoring Belfields output for the past few years, it was no surprise that he wanted the final word. The former BBC radio presenter was jailed for five-and-a-half years after being convicted in September. That prompted Belfield to set up his secret Voice of Reason channel, which streamed behind a paywall on his website. Former BBC DJ Alex Belfield has been discovered responsible of the relentless stalking of different broadcasters, together with Jeremy Vine, who he Trending 'La Brea' Season 2 Trailer Goes EVEN DEEPER. For just over three minutes, the 42-year-old delivered a monologue in which he said he was in prison for simply defending himself. The author identified himself in the screen-grab published by Hewis. Ten months into the job, Belfield pushed his luck too far in an innuendo-laden chat with the stations weather presenter, in which he suggested he had been masturbating over her. Both had come to the defence of others under attack by Belfield. The club joined the English Football League in 1892 as founder members of the Football League Second Division and though they resigned in 1907, they . The eight complainants hoped to never hear from their tormenter again, only to discover that he had arranged for that one final, defiant video to go live after the judge sent him down, goading them from beyond his prison walls. 01604 491005. Recommended Ex-BBC DJ guilty of stalking Jeremy Vine during 'vile' hate campaign Within days, 15,000 people had signed a Free Alex Belfield petition and Hopkins was on Instagram mocking Belfields targets for whining about simple hurty words. This resulted in my reputation destroyed in the eyes of peers who blocked me. Feb 8. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? It was a nine-year obsession, which saw him make what the judge described as the false and scandalous accusation that Keith regularly had sex in public on gay beaches with strangers. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Alex Belfield was born in . - a disco for people who want to dance to songs they know from backalong but have nowhere to go. One of the BBC targets was Bernie Keith, a veteran presenter at BBC Radio Northampton who was once Belfields friend. In December 2011, Belfield made his debut on BBC Radio 2 with Jimmy Savile's "last in-depth interview", recorded at Savile's Leeds home in February that year. Copyright Celebrity Radio. Ms Breen had been his boss at BBC Radio Leeds, Ms Green had been a fellow radio presenter, Ms Thomas had been Ms Breen's boss, and Ms Hirst joined BBC Radio Leeds as a presenter after Belfield left. The relief was temporary. Belfield, who has 361,000 followers on his YouTube channel, The Voice Of Reason, and 43,000 on Twitter, directed his attacks via social media in highly negative and often abusive terms, the judge said. Former BBC DJ Belfield was jailed in September after he was found guilty of waging a relentless stalking campaign against BBC Radio Northampton's Bernie Keith, and subjecting TV presenter Jeremy . During his trial, Belfield, 42, of Shaldon Close in Mapperley, had opted not to give evidence in his defence before giving a closing speech, in which he claimed he was a whistleblower who had seen two-and-a-half years of his life torn apart by police inquiries. The judge said he agreed with some of the witnesses in the case, who said Belfield had "weaponised the internet". The judge did stop him from interrogating complainants, appointing David Aubrey as a proxy advocate. UPDATE. hb```6Ad`0p Do not sell or share my personal information. Mr Justice Saini had sentenced Belfield to two-and-a-half years for stalking one of the complainants, Bernie Keith. This was a man who had not only eschewed lawyers to represent himself in court, but who had reported on his own trial each night online; a man who even after being found guilty, appeared on stage in Blackpool with controversial rightwing commentator Katie Hopkins, playing up his role as The Stalker as he awaited sentence. Judges are able to vary sentences under section 385 of the Sentencing Act 2020, but the judge decided not to. "Alex Belfield had no qualms about the abuse he handed out, in many cases publicly.". Breen left this summer to become editor-in-chief at the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. They were exonerated. But some of the complainants feel they never really got justice. = I;& At conservative gathering, Trump is still the favourite. He said there was no escape for Belfields victims until bail conditions were imposed ahead of his trial, and agreed with Mr Vines characterisation that the ex-DJ had weaponised the internet against his targets. 1. The TV presenter labelled him the Jimmy Savile of trolling during the trial, which heard he repeatedly posted or sent abusive messages, videos and emails. His aim was, in his own words, to haunt his victims, and he deployed his army of followers to pile on with abusive messages to those targeted, said Mr Justice Saini. The BBC turned a blind eye to the abuse, says Green: We were not heard. Bernard Spedding ignored every single correspondence. Also speaking during the trial, describing watching Belfields video output as like swimming in sewage, Mr Vine said: It felt like I had a fish hook in my face and my flesh was being torn, and the only way to avoid further pain was to stay completely still.. She has asked the BBC to commission an independent investigation into what happened. Read about our approach to external linking. There are lessons to learn clearly and the toxic nature of online hate will only get worse for staff. Horrific, vicious, cowardly.". Online stalkers like you have the ability to recruit an army of followers whose conduct massively expands the effect of your stalking. hWmo8+}(fI0He&[%@bwYsun!-Q$m>|(c #*fD((B+AH"9hn@*bJM (XDpn+X [EhA8b0BCJ ]JAD*# vb7kG;?+z]VlMow&k]dY\?2z?|Hzm|umLpM'lU),>9S*sD0xXl&[QdyLUvf% 5nLMY/]B~KJJeLPNAbK Clv/?`x8CG]* WAbZa\kC89ZCR7F-EdOzdoEey1*|z`L8}`! i_}Y/z*}Z4V0j_Zn(XP @C!|D@F;= 4`EwsivT! Asked why it had not banned Belfield from its platform following his conviction, YouTube did not respond. His subscriber count has dropped, but still stands at 354,000. Bernie Keith (pictured) who presents mid-morning shows and a weekly rock 'n' roll programme on BBC Radio Northampton, said former BBC Radio Leeds DJ Alex Belfield had subjected him to 'naked' hatred and false claims, Prosecutors allege that Belfield (pictured arriving at Nottingham Crown Court), who hosts a radio channel on YouTube, waged a relentless nine-year campaign of stalking against eight victims, including ex-colleagues, after BBC Radio Leeds did not renew his contract in 2011. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. In his closing speech to jurors at Nottingham Crown Court, Belfield said he had a right to freedom of speech, and some of the communications were in his role as a journalist, holding the BBC to account. People who have worked on this game have also collaborated on the creation of the following games: Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One, a group of 620 people; Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault, a group of 361 people; Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time, a group of 357 people; inFAMOUS 2, a group of 347 people; SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs, a group of 328 people We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. I had gone to the police to make it stop and it was just getting worse. Instead, he made YouTube videos about them, posted messages on social media, and sent emails either to them or about them. Member of the public 'donates' hand grenade to D-Day museum Farm Heroes Saga, the #4 Game on iTunes. 'I had this naked hate being piled on me every day and I had to be funny and I had to entertain people. In September 1997, he began his career as part of the launch team of Radio 106. The judge referred to the victims graphic and distressing evidence in court about the impact of Belfields campaign of harassment, and how he had been just seconds away from dying by suicide. MP seeks inquiry over BBC staff harassed online, Harassed women accuse BBC of failing to help them, The stalker who reported on his own trial, My jailed stalker says he'll be back - Jeremy Vine, Former BBC presenter found guilty of stalking, Alleged stalker 'is victim of BBC witch-hunt', Jeremy Vine tells trial of 'avalanche of hatred', BBC boss 'terrified by radio host's stalking', Ex-BBC presenter 'stalked fellow broadcasters', Police appeal after stolen tools recovered, Jacksdale ferret rescue plans much-needed fundraiser, Plans for fast food outlets and a bar outside Motorpoint Arena, Huge solar farm near Gotham and East Leake recommended for approval, Community clean-up aims to improve feeling of safety in Warsop, Hucknall bus window smashed by yob with a brick, Street fighting in Bakhmut but Russia not in control, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims. We were the learning curve for Belfield. "In some cases this has extended to death threats," he said. . It could be interpreted as a reluctance to expose systemic failings and a complete failure in duty of care. The Version table provides details related to the release that this issue/RFE will be addressed. What will the next pandemic be? Alex Belfield, 42, . While most defendants on trial try to avoid cameras on the way into court, Belfield seemed to be doing his best to attract them, wearing an array of wacky jackets and shirts. With an international audience via YouTube - Celebrity Radio continues to grow. Belfield, 42, showed no emotion as the verdicts were delivered. During his trial, the court heard from his stalking victims - including BBC Radio Northampton presenter Bernie Keith. To have your reputation destroyed maliciously is unforgivable. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Silence was the best policy in the eyes of the corporation. After his first arrest, in June 2020, he started two crowdfunders to raise money to sue first the BBC and then Nottinghamshire police. 562 0 obj <> endobj For each of these offences he was sentenced to 13 weeks, also to run consecutively. His anti-BBC stance soon attracted prominent support: Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen appeared on his shows and last year wrote to Priti Patel, then home secretary, to complain about what he called a BBC witch-hunt against Belfield, after one of his arrests. 'Because of the tsunami of hate and threats that were coming in to me, we had to have someone else sat in the building with me.'. Green still works for the BBC but is trying to negotiate a settlement to leave. His voice breaking with emotion, Mr Keith added: 'That removes the hope from my life that I will ever be free of this man. FORMER BBC radio presenter, Alex Belfield, has been jailed for five and a half years. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. Apparently jealous that Keiths BBC career carried on while his own was stymied, Belfield set about trying to ruin Keiths life using his usual weapons of YouTube, Twitter and emails. Vine said it is very, very important that the BBC learn lessons from what happened to the women at BBC Leeds. That he was allowed to play court reporter upset many complainants, particularly as Belfield decided not to give evidence under oath. BBC Radio Northampton presenter Bernie Keith was left feeling suicidal by a "tsunami of hate", jurors heard. Mr Belfield, on 5 August 2022, following a 5 week trial here at Nottingham Crown Court the jury convicted you on 4 counts. Mr Vine also gave evidence against Belfield during the trial, as he said: "This . 6 months later Ben Hewis REFUSES to release the email. On Count 5 you were convicted of stalking Mr Bernard Spedding - known professionally as Bernie Keith. VideoRussian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, Xi Jinping's power grab - and why it matters, Snow, Fire and Lights: Photos of the Week. He hated being told how to improve by Jeremy, and thats where I think it all started.. Prosecutor John McGuinness QC told Nottingham Crown Court that Alex Belfield's lies had a "devastating effect" on Bernie Keith, who presents the mid-morning show on the BBC station . You are entitled to hold and express views but you are not entitled to destroy the personal lives of your victims through online harassment.. You made communications which had serious impacts on the private lives of the complainants, with distressing effects on their mental and physical health. I think the jury thought: Oh, it cant have been that bad. She says Belfield has destroyed her mental health, and that she was so frightened that he or his followers would turn up at her house, she spent 20,000 on security measures. Philip Dehany, a rival theatre blogger, who was targeted by Belfield in YouTube videos. He started his own online show, Celebrity Radio, bagging interviews with famous people in return for advertising plugs, and tried to sell himself as a theatre and restaurant reviewer. Find Alex Belfield of CelebrityRadio.biz's articles, email address, contact information, Twitter and more. Ben Hewis refuses to communicate with Nottingham Police. It was classic Belfield. Here's Celebrity Radio's BBC Bernie Keith & Ben Hewis STATEMENTFull statement on legal action & police inquiry - BBC Bernie Keith / Bernard Spedding & Ben Hewis . Former BBC presenter found guilty of stalking, Alleged stalker 'is victim of BBC witch-hunt', Jeremy Vine tells trial of 'avalanche of hatred', BBC boss 'terrified by radio host's stalking', Ex-BBC presenter 'stalked fellow broadcasters', Police appeal after stolen tools recovered, Jacksdale ferret rescue plans much-needed fundraiser, Plans for fast food outlets and a bar outside Motorpoint Arena, Huge solar farm near Gotham and East Leake recommended for approval, Community clean-up aims to improve feeling of safety in Warsop, Hucknall bus window smashed by yob with a brick, Street fighting in Bakhmut but Russia not in control, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims. As Prince Harry says he felt like the film 'the boy in the bubble' before having therapy, who was 12-year-old David Vetter whose tragic story inspired the documentary? Each of them suffered serious mental health problems arising from Mr Belfields conduct, he said, imposing indefinite restraining orders preventing Belfield from contacting the women. But when Aubrey caught Covid, Vine opted to be questioned by Belfield rather than delay a long-booked holiday, and found himself being asked about the true meaning of the word cunt. If you can help with mounting legal costs please email alex@alexbelfield.co.uk, Uploaded by Alex Belfield at Celebrity Radio 13th March 2020. Belfield soon became obsessed with ruining Hewiss professional and personal life. How a failed local radio DJ with Timmy Malletts dress sense ended up making potentially hundreds of thousands of pounds broadcasting lies about his largely obscure enemies is a story that begins in 2010. The term again is two-and-half years; Count 7: Philip Dehany, not guilty to stalking to cause alarm and distress but guilty to simple stalking - Belfield received a consecutive sentence of 13 weeks. I dont think that stuff even bothered him.. While never submitting himself to cross-examination, he was allowed to deliver a pompous closing speech deriding the case as a BBC and police witch-hunt and describing himself as the No 1 anti-BBC journalist. Keith Elliot Greenberg Interview The Day John Lennon Died, Keith Chegwin Exclusive 2015 Interview Celebrity Big Brother. Yet, he remains unstable and on air at the BBC. Belfield had denied stalking the 57-year-old, and seven other alleged victims, claiming he was the subject of a witch hunt. At conservative gathering, Trump is still the favourite. Bernie Keith who presents mid-morning shows on BBC Radio Northampton, said former BBC Radio Leeds DJ Alex Belfield had subjected him to 'naked' hatred and false claims. Sometimes these emails included what the judge said were highly offensive and personal comments about their physical appearance, including sexualised comments as well as wholly false allegations that the women had bullied him. The sentences on each charge Belfield was convicted on: Count 5: BBC Radio Northampton's Bernie Keith, guilty of stalking to cause alarm and distress - Belfield has been given two-and-half years in prison on count 5; Count 6: Videographer Ben Hewis, guilty of stalking to cause alarm and distress - the sentence is consecutive to the previous term for the stalking of Mr Keith. I am caught in a constant cycle of exhaustion and fatigue. "Throughout this trial, victims and other witnesses have given evidence with dignity and I would like to thank them for their willingness to give evidence. 2023 BBC. Refuses to deny he wrote the email. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Jurors deliberated for 14 hours and 27 minutes before reaching their verdicts, following a four-week trial that began on 5 July. The judge told Belfield he will serve up to half of his sentence in prison and the remainder on licence. Read about our approach to external linking. Read about our approach to external linking. "This was the darkest point of my life because there was no end to it. Stalking Bernard Spedding (known as Bernie Keith) between 25 November 2012 and 2 April 2017, and between 3 April 2017 and 31 March 2021. . Our fears and anxiety were downplayed. Helen Thomas, now director of BBC England, told the jury that she was told to man up by a BBC boss when she complained about Belfields behaviour. Police inquiry opened Feb 2020 Nottinghamshire Police. Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty, Why Trudeau is facing calls for a public inquiry, The shocking legacy of the Dutch 'Hunger Winter'. 'I can't remember when I have had a run of good sleep of longer than five hours. At NorthantsLive we're more than just news. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Unless there are broadcast prohibitions attached to his release, there is nothing to stop Belfield firing up Voice of Reason again when he gets out of jail. I can tell you now their proposed review will not claim responsibility nor say sorry. In relation to the women, the judge said: "Each of them suffered a campaign of harassment by email and social media communications. Breen and Green both think the BBC failed all four women who gave evidence against Belfield. Why would he/they not deny it if he didnt send it? Belfield was jailed after being found guilty of stalking four victims online. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Another BBC radio presenter, a transgender woman called Stephanie Hirst, became Belfields next target after refusing him an interview after her transition. Belfield started wearing Trump polo shirts and began campaigning against small boat crossings in the Channel, using a dinghy as a prop for his live shows. Former BBC DJ jailed for stalking Jeremy Vine and others, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. He hated the thing he loved, or hated other people having success within it.. Although jurors found Belfield not guilty of stalking Liz Green, Rozina Breen, Helen Thomas and Stephanie Hirst, Mr Justice Saini said Belfield had harassed them, and he made restraining orders to protect them in future. Alex Belfield, 42, who "weaponised the internet", was last month found guilty at Nottingham Crown Court of waging a relentless campaign, with TV's Mr Vine subjected to an "avalanche of hatred".
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