Former BBC Radio Leeds DJ Alex Belfield has been jailed for more than five years after stalking a number of broadcasters, including Jeremy Vine.
Alex Belfield was labelled “the Jimmy Savile of trolling” during a trial at Nottingham Crown Court which heard he repeatedly posted or sent abusive messages, videos and emails after bosses refused to renew his contract at BBC Radio Leeds. The trial heard Belfield repeatedly posted or sent abusive messages, videos and emails.
The offending was said to have taken place between 2012 and 2021. Jurors accepted Belfield caused serious alarm or distress to two victims and was found guilty of “simple” stalking in relation to Channel 5 and BBC Radio 2 presenter Mr Vine and theatre blogger Philip Dehany. BBC Radio Northampton presenter Bernie Keith was left feeling suicidal by a “tsunami of hate”, the trial heard.
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NottinghamLive reports that Mr Vine gave evidence against Belfield, telling jurors: “This is not a regular troll here. This is the Jimmy Savile of trolling.”
Describing watching Belfield’s video output as like swimming in sewage, Mr Vine said of the defendant’s conduct: “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.”
Jurors deliberated for 14 hours and 27 minutes before convicting Belfield of four stalking charges last month. He was acquitted of four stalking charges.
David Aubrey KC, for Belfield, said he maintains that he did not intend to cause the level of alarm and distress that his victims experienced. He said: "He could see the distress in court and feels deeply sorry for what he did. He wishes things had not escalated in the way they did and acknowledges they shouldn't have to be subjected to such communications."
A number of references were also put forward for Belfield, who was jailed for five years and 26 weeks.
As he sentenced him, The Honourable Mr Justice Saini told him: "A number of witnesses said that you had 'weaponised the internet.' I find that a wholly apt description of your conduct." The judge told the court of the impact on Belfield's victims and said Mr Keith was "terrified" of him.
He added: "Your offences are so serious, only a custodial sentence can be justified.” The judge said a pre-sentence report showed while Belfield “fully acknowledges the distress to victims” it also “highlights you still appear to focus on the impact on you and feel in certain respects you’ve been unfairly treated."
The judge told him that while not “traditional stalking”, “your methods were just as effective a way of intimidating victims and in many ways much harder to deal with.” He added there was “no escape” for Belfield's victims, until bail conditions were imposed ahead of his trial.
The judge also made indefinite restraining orders in relation to complainants, including two former BBC managers, concerned in 4 charges he was found not guilty on.
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