Judges are able to vary sentences under section 385 of the Sentencing Act 2020, but the judge decided not to. 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? The optics arent good former managing editor at BBC Radio Leeds Rozina Breen. The criteria for applying for an order are set out in section 1(1) of the Stalking Protection Act 2019. 603 0 obj <>stream He did so after the prosecution told him the maximum sentence for this offence was five years, but the maximum sentence is actually 10 years. Living on the edge (literally! Belfield compared his treatment with that of a police officer who had escaped jail despite being convicted of possessing child abuse images. He realised what he could do and did it with impunity. That he was allowed to play court reporter upset many complainants, particularly as Belfield decided not to give evidence under oath. Belfield, 42, showed no emotion as the verdicts were delivered. Weve presented the BBC and RPCs Nicola Cain (now left the case as Bernies lawyer) with indisputable evidence that we believe BBC Northamptons Bernie Keith wrote this unprovoked attack. 100+ emails sent/received from BBC & lawyers no defense of Spedding whatsoever. He would invite viewers to send in fan mail not to any registered office but to his local pub, whose landlady he described as his receptionist. 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. According to GoFundMe, which hosted the appeals, he raised a total of 29,446. alex belfield wife name. Belfield was found not guilty of stalking Rozina Breen, Liz Green, Helen Thomas and Stephanie Hirst. Belfield clearly resented being there, recalls Hazell He was sulking and had a face like thunder. Breen says she and others flagged Belfields behaviour repeatedly but were told just not to look at the emails, or to delete them. Stephanie Hirst, who took over Alex Belfield's slot at BBC Radio . Police inquiry opened Feb 2020 Nottinghamshire Police. Philip Dehany, a rival theatre blogger, who was targeted by Belfield in YouTube videos. 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. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? Bernie Keith confirms he's mentally ill and in therapy March 2020. Belfield looked pale as he was led down to the cells as more than 20 of his supporters watched silently from the public gallery. Ben Hewis is a videographer who works in the theatre and wedding industries and Philip Dehany was a rival theatre blogger. There are lessons to learn clearly and the toxic nature of online hate will only get worse for staff. Each of them suffered serious mental health problems arising from Mr Belfield's conduct.". Bernie confirms on air 'they' think he's "bonkers & loony toons". 18:16, 4 JAN 2023. The optics arent good, says Breen. endstream endobj 563 0 obj <>/Metadata 36 0 R/Pages 560 0 R/StructTreeRoot 43 0 R/Type/Catalog/ViewerPreferences 579 0 R>> endobj 564 0 obj <>/MediaBox[0 0 595.32 841.92]/Parent 560 0 R/Resources<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI]>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> endobj 565 0 obj <>stream The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group, 'I felt different to the rest of my family - and my mum felt the same': Prince Harry opens up on his 'broken home' upbringing saying parents rowing in front of children 'is not a good idea' - but FAILS to mention William once in 90min toxic trauma chat, DONALD J TRUMP: The world has finally woken to the truth about the Wuhan virus. That all stopped in February this year when YouTube suspended monetisation on Belfields Voice of Reason for violating its creator policy, after a negative article in the Times about high-earning conspiracy theorists. He presents aYouTubechannel called Voice of Reason, which has over 361,000 subscribers. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. View our online Press Pack. ): They boast glorious ocean views, but swathes of homes along America's coastlines are at risk of tumbling off CLIFFS due to erosion, rising sea levels and extreme weather events, Are YOU guilty of these gym sins? Thats a word I have never heard We four were left to suffer and are suffering still, she says. Alex Belfield and Katie Hopkins in a video on her YouTube channel, advertising the show they did together. Worse, in 2013, a few years into Belfields campaign against her and Breen, the BBCs HR team chose to launch an investigation not into their harassment, but into whether they were guilty of bullying Belfield. The Court of Appeal has confirmed Belfield has made an application for permission to appeal his sentence, but said this is "still in the very early stages of the process". BBC Radio Northampton presenter Bernie Keith was left feeling suicidal by a 'tsunami of hate', the trial heard. The final two victims who went to court and testified against Belfield were both from the theatre world. Corporate Lawfare and Stalking. Hazell is one of numerous others who now say Belfield trolled them. @decotheatre. Former BBC DJ jailed for stalking Jeremy Vine and others, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Why do the four women involved feel let down? \Mb+r'rS~(aU\voP GCK16X0v04p62h,3 0b``f:(x3j=)\-u`IL! For the best part of 10 years they had been complaining about Belfields vendetta, in which he sent hundreds, if not thousands, of emails to them and their superiors. "Stalking is a crime. 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. At first, he grew his audience with silly sketches and phone-ins, railing against government Covid policy, particularly the ban on care-home visits. Video, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims, US-made cheese can be called 'gruyere' - court, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress, The children left behind in Cuba's exodus, Alex Murdaugh's legal troubles are far from over, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies at 61, Walkie Talkie architect Rafael Violy dies aged 78, Sonic boom heard as RAF Typhoon jets escort plane, Nelson's 97th-minute stunner gives Arsenal victory. One of the alleged victims - TV and radio presenter Jeremy Vine - told the trial last week that 42-year-old Belfield is 'the Jimmy Savile of trolling'. He ended with one of his catchphrases I love you, and theres nothing you can do about it before making what to his victims was a sinister promise: We will be back.. 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. How many people signed up for 1 a week is unclear, though some live streams attracted barely 300 viewers. alex belfield wife name. According to the Institute of Lawfare, lawfare is the misuse and abuse of the law for political, commercial and military ends. 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. Labour MP Barry Sheerman is calling for an independent inquiry into how the BBC treated female staff who were harassed online by Belfield. Member of the public 'donates' hand grenade to D-Day museum Farm Heroes Saga, the #4 Game on iTunes. Barring a successful appeal, Belfield will serve at least the next two years and 39 weeks in jail, before being released on licence to serve the second half of his sentence. 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; Belfield was jailed after being found guilty of stalking four victims online. Hewis encouraged an entire industry to block me.over lies he endorsed! "From his very first email and in the majority of communications thereafter, he used my wife and children as his main weapon to terrify, intimidate and blackmail me," he wrote. It was hard to take any satisfaction from the jailing of this despicable man when he will not serve a single day in jail for what he did to the four Leeds women, he said. The 42-year-old was also found guilty of stalking BBC Radio Northampton presenter Bernie Keith and videographer Ben Hewis. I am caught in a constant cycle of exhaustion and fatigue. That is why I say your stalking is in many respects more serious than a conventional stalker, the judge said. For just over three minutes, the 42-year-old delivered a monologue in which he said he was in prison for simply defending himself. 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. He soon made enemies in the theatre world, says a director who started monitoring his online activities a few years ago (and who wishes to remain anonymous). A civil stalking order is being pursued at the magistrates' court against former BBC DJ Alex Belfield, from Mapperley, who is now serving a sentence of more than five years in prison for his shameful conduct online. His last company, Champagne Sippers, incorporated in December 2020, has never filed company accounts. Alex Belfield, who now runs a YouTube channel, stalked his victims by harassing them online. Alex Belfield arriving for his trial at Nottingham Crown Court (Image: PA) An award-winning broadcaster has told a court she was devastated by a "completely transphobic" video posted online by an ex-BBC Radio DJ accused of stalking former colleagues and TV star Jeremy Vine. Radio Presenter Age And Net Worth. Call Today! Belfield, who is 42 and from Nottingham, was originally charged with stalking eight different people, who were mostly current or former BBC staff. Bernie Keith confirms hes mentally ill and in therapy March 2020. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. 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). Belfield also published Mr Vine's address to a "mass audience", the judge said. "He said he could see their distress in court and feels deeply sorry for what he did.". Bernie confirms on air they think hes bonkers & loony toons. 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. Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims. (takes 20 seconds to download full statement plus call to Hewis). In court, he claimed to have nine employees, but who they are remains a mystery. Ben Hewis is perverting the course of justice. Each of them suffered a campaign of harassment by email and social media communications. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. This resulted in my reputation destroyed in the eyes of peers who blocked me. Mr Justice Saini said: You made this highly successful and confident radio presenter lose all joy in life and turned him into a shell. Copyright Celebrity Radio. The BBC reports Alex Belfield, . Bernard Spedding ignored every single correspondence. arring a successful appeal, Belfield will serve at least the next two years and 39 weeks in jail, before being released on licence to serve the second half of his sentence. BBC Radio Northampton DJ Bernie Keith told the court he was left feeling suicidal by a tsunami of hate. Alex Belfield, who now runs a YouTube channel, stalked his victims by harassing them online. He warned Belfield he needed to be "extra careful about your online communications" as he adjourned the case. 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'. However, he has also been charged with stalking Bernie Keith and videographer Ben Hewis. Toggle primary navigation. Would they ever truly be able to escape the man Vine described as an Olympic-level stalker? %PDF-1.7 % He hated being told how to improve by Jeremy, and thats where I think it all started.. The civil application, which pre-dates the criminal case, is for a Stalking Protection Order on the basis he has carried out acts associated with stalking. 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.. The full wording of the charges stated he "pursued a course of conduct that amounted to harassment" of the complainants, which "amounted to stalking" and caused them "serious alarm or distress". This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Bernie Keith, 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 . The Version table provides details related to the release that this issue/RFE will be addressed. Alex Belfield is a 42-year-old former BBC radio star and vlogger who hails from Nottinghamshire. Alex Belfield has been jailed on four stalking charges (Picture: SWNS / PA) . "He had to ask his family to watch out for you and to take care in and around their home address.". "He had no escape from you," the judge told Belfield. 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). "Bearing in mind the need for an overall proportionate sentence and the principle of totality, I am not satisfied that my final overall sentence of five years and 26 weeks would have been substantially higher had I been made aware of the correct legal position on count 5 [the charge relating to Bernie Keith].". Ex-BBC presenter Alex Belfield's campaign of harassment had left Northampton's Bernie Keith just seconds away from suicide. y the time Belfield began tormenting Dehany in 2020 he had become a successful YouTuber who could have been earning up to 528,000 a year, according to Social Blade, a website that monitors social media channels. Christmas is always Belfield's busiest time of the year. During the trial at Nottingham Crown Court, Judge, Mr Justice Saini spoke of how BBC Radio Northampton presenter Bernie Keith was "seconds away" from killing himself after suffering from tsunami of hate. Asked why it had not banned Belfield from its platform following his conviction, YouTube did not respond. Hewis tweet and email vindictively intended to destroy my career and reputation. The full wording of the charges stated that he "pursued a course of conduct that amounted to harassment" of the complainants, which "amounted to stalking" and caused them "serious alarm or distress". Find Alex Belfield's email address, contact information, LinkedIn, Twitter, other social media and more. 'I had this naked hate being piled on me every day and I had to be funny and I had to entertain people. It was a risk. A few weeks after he was sent to jail, most of the 7,000-plus videos Belfield posted on YouTube are still publicly accessible. Ex-BBC presenter Alex Belfield's "campaign of harassment" had left Northampton's Bernie Keith "just seconds away" from suicide. A "cruel" former BBC local radio presenter who stalked broadcasters including TV's Jeremy Vine and BBC Northampton 's Bernie Keith has been jailed for more than five years. We were the learning curve for Belfield. Ben Hewis refuses to engage with the police and hand over the email. although such was the effect of what Alex Belfield did that some were . I will refer to him by that name. FORMER BBC radio presenter, Alex Belfield, has been jailed for five and a half years. 1. The judge said one of his victims came close to killing himself. ). "Although you at no stage committed any physical acts, Mr Vine considered himself and his family to be at risk from you and his followers," the judge told Belfield. ?99 WVdb5KckkVQg;E!qr 0^^jY{EILg%)%4BfyCyvy) 'Once you sign up, you do what you're told': Duke of Sussex tells trauma expert Gabor Mat 'a lot of us' in the Army 'didn't necessarily agree or disagree' with the West's invasion of Afghanistan but did 'what you're trained to do'. Ms Breen tweeted that she was glad to finally have justice after 10 years. "The Crown makes no submission that the overall sentence was, given the new knowledge of the legal position, inappropriate or unduly lenient," said Mr Justice Saini at Leicester Crown Court. The post was shared shortly before 3pm on Friday, March 3, and has already had more than 200 responses. Here's Celebrity Radio's BBC Bernie Keith & Ben Hewis STATEMENTFull statement on legal action & police inquiry - BBC Bernie Keith / Bernard Spedding & Ben Hewis. Yet, he remains unstable and on air at the BBC. Full statement on legal action & police inquiry BBC Bernie Keith / Bernard Spedding & Ben Hewis. 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. Belfield rang Mr Dehanys parents home, where he was shielding during lockdown, and recorded the call for his subscribers while speaking to Mr Dehanys mother. In October 2020, Belfield spread a false rumour that he was having an affair with a fellow BBC radio presenter, using it as part of his ongoing campaign against the national broadcaster. Belfield was not accused of physically stalking the complainants, who were mostly current or former BBC staff. I live in fear and I have done for a long time, she says. Alex Belfield is currently in prison after being convicted of stalking four men, Belfield made videos throughout his trial and posted them on YouTube. Though the BBC knew Belfield was spreading lies about them in public, at no point did anyone from the BBC refute the allegations, she says. Regardless, the judge clearly considered him a threat. All of the people who liked and re-tweeted Hewis libel will be called as witnesses. The judge said it was an aggravating factor that Belfield's harassment was public, as this caused his social media followers to also abuse Mr Spedding over a "lengthy period". Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. Im clearly of more risk to this country than a man who is attracted to children, he deadpanned. Online stalkers like you have the ability to recruit an army of followers whose conduct massively expands the effect of your stalking. Read about our approach to external linking. '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.'.