Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PUB LANDLORD STALKER BARRED FROM HIS GIGS
A STALKER who spent years harassing comedian Al Murray has been banned from attending his shows.
Lucy Bird, 46, sent unwanted letters and parcels to Murray, 52, and told him: “I know where you live”.
She repeatedly tried to get backstage when the Pub Landlord star was on tour and obtained photos of his children.
Murray gave evidence that Bird’s actions left him “distressed”.
In a statement he said: “This was very concerning for me as she had previously stated she knew where I lived.
“Pestering me was one thing but targeting my family was completely wrong.”
Funnyman Murray said Bird also “wrecked” his experience of using social media to connect with his fans.
She posted bizarre objects to Murray, including hair grips, condoms and religious quotes.
The star was so unsettled that a photo of her was circulated among security staff at any venue he performed at.
Bird, of Flore, Northants, also targeted three others online – a businessman, police officer and hospital worker. One suffered months of abuse after replying to an online classified advert. She streamed videos with images of his children and accused him of being a rapist.
The businessman told the court: “This woman has ruined my life. She has called me a rapist, paedophile and murderer.”
Another victim was a Northamptonshire Police officer. The third was a member of staff at an NHS hospital who she accused of being a rapist.
She yesterday apologised to Murray and revealed how she became obsessed with him following the breakdown of her marriage.
The unemployed veterinary nurse said: “I started watching his gigs but then I formed this romantic fantasy attachment.”
Bird pleaded guilty to three counts of harassment and one count of stalking.
On Friday at Northampton magistrates court she received a 16-week jail term suspended for two years. She was also handed restraining orders against her victims – banning her from Murray’s shows for four years.
I started watching his gigs but formed an attachment LUCY BIRD COMEDIAN AL MURRAY’S STALKER