‘Extra security hired because of stalker’
‘PRIVATE GUARDS FOR DJ WHO CONSIDERED SUICIDE’
BBC presenter Bernie Keith believed “death threats” were phoned in to the BBC and he was not allowed to be in the building alone because of a “tsunami of haters” encouraged by alleged stalker Alex Belfield, a jury heard.
A security firm was brought in to wait as he conducted his shows and walk him to his car afterwards.
Mr Keith has worked at BBC Radio Northampton since 2000 where he presents two shows – a mid-morning weekday show and a Saturday evening rock and roll show – but kept what was allegedly happening away from his audience.
He also did stand-up comedy events, including some for charity.
But Nottingham Crown Court heard his live shows stopped because, Mr Keith claims, defendant Alex Belfield had an “obsession” with him promoting the shows on his radio programme.
Yesterday Mr Keith told the prosecution in the case against Belfield he had to remove features from his broadcasts. Listeners would ring up and were put on air but Mr Keith could not risk one of Belfield’s supporters - who, he said, were “asked, invited or encouraged by Mr Belfield” – calling in.
Mr Keith said he had had physical threats and added: “I believe death threats were phoned in to the BBC.”
As a result, he would not be allowed to be in the building alone because of the “tsunami of haters” and threats.
A security firm was brought in to wait as he presented his shows and walk him to his car afterwards.
He collapsed at home with peritonitis, an infection of the inner lining of the stomach, and needed an operation which meant he was not able to present his regular rock and roll slot.
Belfield, who now has a show on Youtube, allegedly ran a video online with the headline, “Sacked”, said Mr Keith, who went on to address his
5,000 supporters on Facebook to explain that he had not been sacked but was very ill and would be back.
Mr Keith even contemplated suicide.
Belfield denies stalking Mr Keith, the stalking of Jeremy Vine, who works for BBC Radio 2 and Channel 5, EX-BBC DJ
Stephanie Hirst, who transitioned from male to female in 2014, and other individuals.
The 42-yearold, of Shaldon Close in Mapperley, pleads not guilty to eight counts of stalking on eight different people from 2012 to 2021.
The prosecution says his stalking was more akin to “internet trolling” than physical stalking. He sent emails and tweets, made videos and subjecting his victims to harassment and abuse – some for many years.
Three counts of stalking relate to Belfield’s time at BBC Radio Leeds, on a fixed-term contract that ran from spring 2010 until spring 2011.
The contract was not renewed and he left the BBC in 2011, subsequently starting his Youtube channel.
Prosecuting, John Mcguinness QC told the court: “The prosecution suggests that Alex Belfield was, or became, disgruntled by what he perceived to be his unfair treatment while he was at the BBC.”
Mr Keith told David Aubrey QC, a court-appointed defence advocate, that Belfield, who he knew from their time at Century 106 in Nottingham, was a friendly acquaintance from work. “I certainly had no animosity towards him back then.” he said.
Belfield was a “phone answerer” at Century 106 who was 17 years old when they first met, while Mr Keith was a 36-year-old presenter who spoke to Belfield in a talkback system. Mr Keith worked with him for 16 months. Belfield allegedly went on to complain to the BBC years later that Mr Keith, then at BBC Radio Northampton, was advertising his other non-bbc work and thus being allowed to profit from his show – even though Keith had permission from the BBC to mention his other work. Belfield also allegedly made insults about Mr Keith’s character, sending emails to the BBC. Mr Keith was asked about his stand-up comedy and he explained that the ticket prices varied. Some shows were free and the most he ever charged was £18. There were costs for lighting, sound, a spotlight and theatre hire.
He took some money but most of the money went to his comedy manager, who was at the time about to become a father, and to Cancer Research UK.
“I was making a few thousand pounds and most of it went back into entertainment,” said Mr Keith.
Mr Aubrey referred to BBC guidance and said: “You are not allowed to advertise things for your personal financial advancement.”
But Keith said: “That wouldn’t be true...i think it would be fairly elastic.”
He explained that when broadcasting to an audience they wanted to know what you were doing. Keith would mention where he was playing, and that was permissible within the BBC guidelines, he said.
The trial continues.
I believe death threats were phoned in to the BBC
Bernie Keith