Daily Mirror

Christine’s sick stalker walks free

TV host was sent chilling tweets

- BY ANDY LINES Chief Reporter andy.lines@mirror.co.uk

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

 ??  ??
 ??  ?? COURT BATTLE Mum-to-be Christine smiles before sentence yesterday HARASSMENT King FEAR Christine with footballer husband Frank
COURT BATTLE Mum-to-be Christine smiles before sentence yesterday HARASSMENT King FEAR Christine with footballer husband Frank

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom