The judge explained he did not question the verdicts of the jurors, but was applying the civil standard of proof when making the restraining orders. Belfield, a former BBC radio presenter turned YouTube free speech advocate, was deeply sorry for the hurt he had caused, said Aubrey, after Belfield was convicted of stalking Vine and three other men online. The full wording of the charges stated he "pursued a course of conduct that amounted to harassment" of the complainants, which "amounted to stalking" and caused them "serious alarm or distress". In September 2001 he began his career as a radio host after joining BBC Radio Leicester. Belfield had harassed this victim, BBC Radio Northampton presenter Bernard Spedding, for nine years and some of his followers had sent him death threats. Read about our approach to external linking. Play it now! "You made this highly successful and confident radio presenter lose all joy in life and turned him into a shell.". Prosecutors allege that Alex Belfield caused alarm and distress to eight victims after his contract with BBC Radio Leeds was not renewed in 2011. . "There's a good chance of a custodial sentence," he added. According to GoFundMe, which hosted the appeals, he raised a total of 29,446. Green blames the BBC for the not-guilty verdicts: The reason I believe the court didnt find him guilty on our charges though we will never know what the jury was thinking was because the BBC allowed it to go on for so long. Ex-BBC presenter Alex Belfield's "campaign of harassment" had left Northampton's Bernie Keith "just seconds away" from suicide. Keith Elliot Greenberg Interview The Day John Lennon Died, Keith Chegwin Exclusive 2015 Interview Celebrity Big Brother. Alex Belfield is currently in prison after being convicted of stalking four men, Belfield made videos throughout his trial and posted them on YouTube. 603 0 obj <>stream We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Living on the edge (literally! But Breen thought he would bring personality to the station. He was terrified of you. All is explained in the video. Alex Belfield, who now runs a YouTube channel, stalked his victims by harassing them online. I NEED YOUR HELP TO GET JUSTICE. Thank you for your patience. But when Aubrey caught Covid, Vine opted to be questioned by Belfield rather than delay a long-booked holiday, and found himself being asked about the true meaning of the word cunt. Prosecutors allege that Belfield, 42, caused serious alarm or distress to Vine, former BBC Radio Leeds mid-morning show host Stephanie Hirst, and BBC Radio Northampton's Bernie Keith. . He has been contacted 5 times to remove his outrageous claims. Friday Night is our 2nd Handbag Heaven Club Night. You made communications which had serious impacts on the private lives of the complainants, with distressing effects on their mental and physical health. But some of the complainants feel they never really got justice. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Similar orders in favour of four other individuals the BBCs former head of the north Rozina Breen, former BBC Radio Leeds presenters Liz Green and Stephanie Hirst, and BBC executive Helen Thomas were also made. While most defendants on trial try to avoid cameras on the way into court, Belfield seemed to be doing his best to attract them, wearing an array of wacky jackets and shirts. The verdicts in relation to each complainant, in the order they appeared on the indictment, were: In mitigation, barrister David Aubrey KC said Belfield had not intended to cause his victims distress, but could now see that he had. We have begged the BBC to resolve this quietly and privately. The post was shared shortly before 3pm on Friday, March 3, and has already had more than 200 responses. Even after YouTube stopped him making money from his channel, Belfield was still reasonably flush. The judge made restraining orders on the four victims: Bernard Spedding (also known as Bernie Keith), Ben Hewis, Philip Dehany and Jeremy Vine. The women were told: The aim of the review is to provide recommendations to the BBC on how it can best support colleagues facing online stalking or significant social media harassment.. Online stalkers like you have the ability to recruit an army of followers whose conduct massively expands the effect of your stalking. Belfield was not accused of physically stalking the complainants, who were mostly current or former BBC staff. The optics arent good former managing editor at BBC Radio Leeds Rozina Breen. The Belfield Green knew at Radio Leeds in 2010 was difficult but he wasnt a table-thumping, immigrant-hating rightwing polemicist, she says. The term again is two-and-half years; Count 7: Philip Dehany, not guilty to stalking to cause alarm and distress but guilty to simple stalking - Belfield received a consecutive sentence of 13 weeks. ). During his trial, Belfield, 42, of Shaldon Close in Mapperley, had opted not to give evidence in his defence before giving a closing speech, in which he claimed he was a whistleblower who had seen two-and-a-half years of his life torn apart by police inquiries. BBC Radio Northampton presenter Bernie Keith was left feeling suicidal by a "tsunami of hate", the trial heard. Heres Celebrity Radios BBC Bernie Keith & Ben Hewis STATEMENT. Ms Breen had been his boss at BBC Radio Leeds, Ms Green had been a fellow radio presenter, Ms Thomas had been Ms Breen's boss, and Ms Hirst joined BBC Radio Leeds as a presenter after Belfield left. 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'Because of the tsunami of hate and threats that were coming in to me, we had to have someone else sat in the building with me.'. He is being sued for libel by Vine, as well as by the Nottinghamshire police detective in charge of the case against him, and when ordered to pay Vines initial costs of 26,000 after failing to file a defence on time, paid up, in October 2021, within a few days. I couldn't destroy the gift of life that they (his parents) gave me.'. Resolved: Release in which this issue/RFE has been resolved. People who have worked on this game have also collaborated on the creation of the following games: Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One, a group of 620 people; Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault, a group of 361 people; Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time, a group of 357 people; inFAMOUS 2, a group of 347 people; SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs, a group of 328 people Worse, in 2013, a few years into Belfields campaign against her and Breen, the BBCs HR team chose to launch an investigation not into their harassment, but into whether they were guilty of bullying Belfield. The final two victims who went to court and testified against Belfield were both from the theatre world. However, Alex Belfield was found not guilty of stalking four other people he was accused of targeting. Asked by prosecutor John McGuinness QC to explain the personal, professional and health impact of the alleged stalking, Mr Keith responded: 'I had physical threats and, I believe, death threats. Your email address will not be published. A security company had also been brought in to collect him from the radio station's car park, Mr Keith said. I pleaded with him (Belfield) to stop. In 2006, he presented the breakfast show on Capital Gold in Birmingham for six weeks, before moving to London to take over the station's networked national late show called The Late Night Revolution. Alex Belfield arriving for his trial at Nottingham Crown Court (Image: PA) An award-winning broadcaster has told a court she was devastated by a "completely transphobic" video posted online by an ex-BBC Radio DJ accused of stalking former colleagues and TV star Jeremy Vine. The judge, Mr Justice Saini, granted Belfield bail and told him to return to Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing next month. The royal we was a frequent Belfield affectation, designed to give the impression that he sat at the top of an anti-woke multimedia empire in the Alex Jones/Infowars mould. Hopkins believes he will be back, his ego bigger than ever after honing his act in front of a literally captive audience. Philip Dehany, a rival theatre blogger, who was targeted by Belfield in YouTube videos. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Your email address will not be published. Alex Belfield has been jailed on four stalking charges (Picture: SWNS / PA) . January was great - highly recommended for joy and fun. Both had come to the defence of others under attack by Belfield. Unable to work and claiming to be on 86-a-week universal credit when the theatres shut, Belfield reinvented himself as a rightwing shockjock. Why would he/they not deny it if he didnt send it? The verdicts in relation to each complainant were: Giving evidence to the trial, Mr Vine described Belfield's behaviour as "like an avalanche of hatred you get hit by", and "absolutely Olympic-level stalking, even for broadcasting". BBC Radio Leeds presenter Liz Green, who was harassed for 10 years by Belfield. Read about our approach to external linking. BBC Radio Northampton DJ Bernie Keith told the court he was left feeling suicidal by a tsunami of hate. Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. He would harass some theatre companies, to the extent that his email address was blocked, and front of house staff were warned about him., Belfield had a complicated relationship with the entertainment industry, the director believes. BBC Radio Northampton presenter Bernie Keith was left suicidal by a "tsunami of hate", the trial was also told. The police are advised to consider applying for an order where it appears to them that: Belfield was jailed last September after he was found guilty of waging a relentless stalking campaign against BBC Radio Northampton's Bernie Keith, and subjecting TV presenter Jeremy Vine to an "avalanche of hatred" - but has since lodged an appeal. The Guardian asked Bridgen if he regretted supporting Belfield and did not receive a response. READ MORE: The cinemas in Northamptonshire showing the Queen's funeral on Monday for free, Jurors accepted Belfield caused serious alarm or distress to two victims and found him guilty of simple stalking in relation to Channel 5 and BBC Radio 2 presenter Mr Vine and theatre blogger Philip Dehany. 578 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<64333CF35435EE40AE1982510F889B77>]/Index[562 42]/Info 561 0 R/Length 90/Prev 190620/Root 563 0 R/Size 604/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream His trial heard he made YouTube videos about them, posted messages on social media, sent emails, and also encouraged his followers to target them. Count 8: Jeremy Vine, not guilty to stalking to cause alarm and distress but guilty to simply stalking - Belfield is sentenced to 13 weeks consecutively for stalking Mr Vine. After being sacked from BBC Radio Leeds, Belfield had to move back to live with his mother in Nottinghamshire and found it difficult to get regular radio work. To have your reputation destroyed maliciously is unforgivable. 'On Saturday nights I wasn't allowed to be in the (BBC Radio Northampton) building on my own. This apology does not make it OK. Former BBC presenter found guilty of stalking, Alleged stalker 'is victim of BBC witch-hunt', Jeremy Vine tells trial of 'avalanche of hatred', BBC boss 'terrified by radio host's stalking', Ex-BBC presenter 'stalked fellow broadcasters', Police appeal after stolen tools recovered, Jacksdale ferret rescue plans much-needed fundraiser, Plans for fast food outlets and a bar outside Motorpoint Arena, Huge solar farm near Gotham and East Leake recommended for approval, Community clean-up aims to improve feeling of safety in Warsop, Hucknall bus window smashed by yob with a brick, Street fighting in Bakhmut but Russia not in control, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims. "Alex Belfield had no qualms about the abuse he handed out, in many cases publicly.". She has asked the BBC to commission an independent investigation into what happened. On Count 5 you were convicted of stalking Mr Bernard Spedding - known professionally as Bernie Keith. FORMER BBC radio presenter, Alex Belfield, has been jailed for five and a half years. Something went wrong, please try again later. Published: 11:08 EST, 21 July 2022 | Updated: 11:22 EST, 21 July 2022. endstream endobj 566 0 obj <>stream A wacky array of clothing Belfield arrives at court in August. 'This was the darkest point of my life because there was no end to it. Ben Hewis refuses to engage with the police and hand over the email. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. BBC Radio Northampton presenter Bernie Keith told the court he was left feeling suicidal by what he called Belfield's "tsunami of hate." Belfield's contract with BBC Radio Leeds ended in 2011. How many people signed up for 1 a week is unclear, though some live streams attracted barely 300 viewers. Victim personal statements were not read out in court, but Mr Hewis tweeted his after the sentencing. We were the learning curve for Belfield. arring a successful appeal, Belfield will serve at least the next two years and 39 weeks in jail, before being released on licence to serve the second half of his sentence. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? This was a man who had not only eschewed lawyers to represent himself in court, but who had reported on his own trial each night online; a man who even after being found guilty, appeared on stage in Blackpool with controversial rightwing commentator Katie Hopkins, playing up his role as The Stalker as he awaited sentence. 918-707-5636 ohniyou ceiling fan manual. I can tell you now their proposed review will not claim responsibility nor say sorry. Remorseless Belfield videos himself as he arrives at court in July. The opening of the trial heard that Belfield had been a presenter at BBC Radio Leeds, having been given a one-year contract in spring 2010. Its like an avalanche of hatred that you get hit by., Vine didnt think he had ever even met Belfield, but another former BBC radio presenter, James Hazell, remembers Vine delivering a masterclass to local BBC presenters in 2010. However, he has also been charged with stalking Bernie Keith and videographer Ben Hewis. ', Belfield had made a bogus claim that he had been sacked, Mr Keith said, adding: 'It was all too much. Ex-BBC presenter Alex Belfield's campaign of harassment had left Northampton's Bernie Keith just seconds away from suicide. 203 Adams Ave. Eufaula, OK 74432 what is kip holden doing now The morning of his sentencing, Belfield had sat silent in the dock at Nottingham crown court as barrister David Aubrey KC finally mitigated on his behalf. Breen and Green both think the BBC failed all four women who gave evidence against Belfield. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group, 'I felt different to the rest of my family - and my mum felt the same': Prince Harry opens up on his 'broken home' upbringing saying parents rowing in front of children 'is not a good idea' - but FAILS to mention William once in 90min toxic trauma chat, DONALD J TRUMP: The world has finally woken to the truth about the Wuhan virus. Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims. "Blocking was also a futile exercise as Belfield continued to seek out new ways to get to me when others failed. Belfield rang Mr Dehanys parents home, where he was shielding during lockdown, and recorded the call for his subscribers while speaking to Mr Dehanys mother. A "cruel" former BBC local radio presenter who stalked broadcasters including TV's Jeremy Vine and BBC Northampton 's Bernie Keith has been jailed for more than five years. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? The optics arent good, says Breen. We have no choice but to take action against The Stagey Blog too. As Prince Harry says he felt like the film 'the boy in the bubble' before having therapy, who was 12-year-old David Vetter whose tragic story inspired the documentary? Mr Justice Saini had sentenced Belfield to two-and-a-half years for stalking one of the complainants, Bernie Keith. He had never gone near anyone, he insisted, and was not accused of threatening any violence. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The judge described Mr Dehanys mother as robust for the way she dealt calmly with Belfield, telling her: Everybody needs a mother like you. Mr Justice Saini said: It was an outrageous and cruel act to call her and make a recording, which Belfield later used as content on his channel. Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty, Why Trudeau is facing calls for a public inquiry, The shocking legacy of the Dutch 'Hunger Winter'. The optics arent good, says Breen. "Alex Belfield's conduct, in the form of messages, broadcasts, insults and threats, left his victims fearful and anxious. The jurors accepted Belfield caused serious alarm or distress to two victims - the BBC Radio Northampton presenter Bernie Keith . Would they ever truly be able to escape the man Vine described as an Olympic-level stalker? Mr Spedding, who is known as Bernie Keith, and videographer Ben Hewis. Belfield, who now runs a YouTube channel called The Voice of Reason, told jurors he had legitimate reasons for his online communications. Alex Belfield, 42, who "weaponised the internet", was last month found guilty at Nottingham Crown Court of waging a relentless campaign, with TV's Mr Vine subjected to an "avalanche of hatred". He also agreed with Mr Vines characterisation that the ex-DJ had weaponised the internet against those he targeted. Stephanie Hirst, who took over Alex Belfield's slot at BBC Radio . In Mr Keiths case, the abuse was sustained over nine years, with the judge saying he had no escape from Belfield, who made up and repeated a wholly false and scandalous allegation about his former friend. Alex Belfield, 42, who "weaponised the internet", . At conservative gathering, Trump is still the favourite. He was found guilty of this offence in relation to only two of the complainants - BBC Radio Northampton presenter Bernie Spedding, who is known as Bernie Keith, and videographer Ben Hewis. Stephanie Hirst presented a show at the station after he left, in the same time slot. It was a risk. I hope you take some time to consider Bernie Keith's statement. He told the jury he was seconds away from killing himself. . The judge said that while Belfield did not physically approach or watch his victims, the effects were just as damaging. For PR Pros Overview; Media Database . Belfield, 42, subjected four people in a "relentless" campaign of stalking - including broadcaster Jeremy Vine. Alex Belfield was labelled 'the Jimmy Savile of trolling' during the trial, Subscribe today to get the latest Northants headlines straight to your inbox with our free email updates. ): They boast glorious ocean views, but swathes of homes along America's coastlines are at risk of tumbling off CLIFFS due to erosion, rising sea levels and extreme weather events, Are YOU guilty of these gym sins? The effect on Keiths life was profound. For just over three minutes, the 42-year-old delivered a monologue in which he said he was in prison for simply defending himself. Others were their boss, Rozina Breen, and Ms Breen's boss Helen Thomas. To those who had been monitoring Belfields output for the past few years, it was no surprise that he wanted the final word. Prosecutor John McGuinness QC told Nottingham Crown Court that Alex Belfield's lies had a "devastating effect" on Bernie Keith, who presents the mid-morning show on the BBC station . 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Ben Hewis refuses to engage with the police and hand over the email. 100+ emails sent/received from BBC & lawyers no defense of Spedding whatsoever. I dont think that stuff even bothered him.. The relief was temporary. Perhaps that independent review would expose those at the very top (men) who left us exposed. Former BBC radio personality Alex Belfield, 42, is also a vlogger from Nottinghamshire. The full wording of the charges stated he "pursued a course of conduct that amounted to harassment" of the complainants, which "amounted to stalking" and caused them "serious alarm or distress". Bernard Spedding - guilty (majority verdict), Philip Dehany - not guilty to the charge on the indictment but guilty of the alternative charge of "simple" stalking (majority verdict), Jeremy Vine - not guilty to the charge on the indictment but guilty of the alternative charge of "simple" stalking (unanimous verdict). Mr Vine gave evidence against Belfield, of Mapperley, Nottingham, telling jurors: This is not a regular troll here. Most of it had been withdrawn by Belfield by the time GoFundMe got around to banning him for inappropriate off-platform behaviour, with the exception of 5,260, which was refunded to donors. A former BBC radio presenter found guilty of stalking four people including broadcaster Jeremy Vine has been jailed for five and a half years. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Alex Belfield has been jailed for five and a half years. Why do the four women involved feel let down? Bernie Keithwho presents mid-morning shows and a weekly rock 'n' roll programme on BBC Radio Northampton, said former BBC Radio Leeds DJ Alex Belfield had subjected him to 'naked' hatred and false claims. Alex Belfield arrives at Nottingham crown court in July for the trial in which he was accused of stalking. Do not sell or share my personal information. Belfield also phoned Dehanys mother and then threatened to broadcast the call an outrageous and cruel act, said Saini and effectively sought to blackmail him by revealing details of a long-spent conviction. View our online Press Pack. Breen says she and others flagged Belfields behaviour repeatedly but were told just not to look at the emails, or to delete them. Ben Hewis is perverting the course of justice. 01604 491005. He presents aYouTubechannel called Voice of Reason, which has over 361,000 subscribers.
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