Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
CHRISTINE STALKER FREE
Man who sent threatening messages to TV star gets suspended sentence
A STALKER who targeted Christine Lampard and even wrote to her dog avoided prison yesterday.
Christof King turned up at the house the Co Down star, pictured, shares with ex-footballer Frank and sent her sinister tweets. In one he told the 39-year-old TV presenter: “I am planning the words that will go on your gravestone.” King, also 39, said he had only wanted career advice. He was handed a nine-month suspended sentence.
CHRISTINE Lampard’s stalker yesterday dodged jail despite sending the TV presenter threatening tweets.
Christof King, 39, also wrote letters and turned up at the house the The One Show host shares with husband, ex-chelsea star Frank Lampard, 40. Yesterday King, who has said he only wanted career advice from Mrs Lampard, 39, was handed a nine-month suspended sentence.
Judge Robin Johnson said: “Those in the public eye are used to receiving contact from strangers.
“But they, like anyone else, are entitled to protection from the law when contact moves from simply irritation to being criminal.” Judge Johnson said the harassment lasted over a long period. He told King: “You are responsible for sending her very nasty communications which would upset anyone and aggravated that offending by visiting her home.”
During his campaign from January 2015 to October 2017, King tweeted Mrs Lampard, saying: “I can hear the scratch of nails as I sharpen them ahead of your crucifixion.” Another tweet said: “I am planning the words that will go on your gravestone.”
He also sent letters to Mrs Lampard’s home. In one, he said on meeting her he would play the adoring fan, adding: “Which isn’t very difficult, believe me.” Describing his behaviour as “bizarre”, prosecutor Warwick Tatford told Isleworth crown court in West London that King wrote a note to the Lampards’ dog.
The jury heard that because of King, the Loose Women star never went out alone, and made sure the gate was shut behind her before leaving her car. Neither Mrs Lampard, who is expecting her first baby, nor her husband, were in court yesterday.
Defending, John Oliver said King had “received the message loud and clear that there is no desire for contact from him at all”.
King, of Brent, North West London, had pleaded guilty to stalking but denied sending the tweets. In addition to the suspended sentence he was handed a 15-day community order and told to complete 150 hours’ unpaid work.
He was also banned from contacting the Lampards, going within 100 yards of their home or entering their street. The judge said a breach could mean five years jail.
I can hear the nails as I sharpen them ahead of your crucifixion
CHRISTOF KING IN TWEET HE SENT STAR CHRISTINE