Latest news with #AlexBelfield
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Katie Hopkins vows to support convicted stalker Alex Belfield when he's released from prison in weeks
Katie Hopkins has vowed to support convicted stalker and former BBC presenter Alex Belfield after his release from prison. Belfield, currently incarcerated at HMP Fosse Way is expected to be released in June 2025 after serving three and a half years for stalking BBC Radio Northampton's Bernie Keith and videographer Ben Hewis. He was also found guilty of "simple stalking" regarding theatre blogger Philip Dehany and BBC broadcaster Jeremy Vine. READ MORE: Cancer-suffering man pointed air gun at EMAS staff in his Nottingham caravan READ MORE: Future unclear for Nottingham Trent University building shut over collapse fears Belfield, from Mapperley, plans to go on tour when he's released, as well as publish six books. He started his YouTube channel The Voice of Reason after his time at BBC Leeds and has promised to continue once he's released from prison. Now Katie Hopkins has come out in support of the 59-year-old ex-presenter. In a new video, she said Belfield inviting her on stage in Blackpool had a huge impact on her life. Katie Hopkins said: "Alex Belfield was the guy that gave me the opportunity to get back on the stage. Alex Belfield is who gave me a stage. "Only a couple of months to go until he's released. Alex has stayed incredibly sane. Addressing the publicity around Belfield's convictions, Ms Hopkins said: "When is it allowed to be over? When is he allowed to move on? "He gave me an opportunity, and I will not forget that and nor will I stop supporting him and nor stop helping him in any way I can to help him get back on his feet. "Even if you hate me for everything you are, I am a woman of my word, I will help Alex Belfield get back on his feet." Belfield has announced his tour from behind bars and his intention to release a series of books detailing his life story, his time in prison, and his trial. In a conversation with the Sunday Times, Jeremy Vine, who was harassed and trolled online by Belfield, said he is concerned about his imminent release, despite having restraining orders against him. Vine also disclosed that his latest thriller novel is partially based on his experience with Belfield as he draws upon his experience of being stalked online. Belfield shared the TV star's address and invited online followers to turn up at his home. Mr Vine said: "My youngest daughter was 13 then and she burst into tears when I told her there may be somebody who wants to hurt her. "He doesn't even know my daughter's name, but she's one of his victims."
The Independent
13-03-2025
- The Independent
BBC apologises for not doing enough for staff after ‘abuse' by stalker Alex Belfield
The BBC has apologised for not doing enough to help staff who alleged they were stalked by a former presenter. Alex Belfield, formerly of BBC Radio Leeds, was jailed for five-and-a-half years in September 2022 after being convicted of four stalking charges against broadcasters. Among his targets was Channel 5 chat show host and BBC Radio 2 DJ Jeremy Vine, who described the abuse as 'Olympic-level stalking', and theatre blogger Philip Dehany. Belfield was also accused of stalking the BBC's former head of north Rozina Breen, ex-Radio Leeds presenters Elizabeth Green and Stephanie Hirst, and director of BBC England Helen Thomas. He was found not guilty on those charges. However, indefinite restraining orders, barring Belfield from contacting the women, were made. On Wednesday, the BBC said it 'simply didn't do enough' for the four women after they raised concerns about Belfield's behaviour. ' People who work for the BBC are often in the public eye and under scrutiny, however it is unacceptable for anyone to be the target of sustained abuse in the way that Rozina Breen, Elizabeth Green, Stephanie Hirst and Helen Thomas were over a number of years,' the corporation said in a statement. 'The BBC cares deeply about the welfare of its staff and we recognise that before 2019 we simply didn't do enough for these members of staff in understanding the full impact that Alex Belfield's unacceptable behaviour had on them. 'For that we are deeply sorry and offer a full and unreserved apology. Abuse – particularly on social media – presents lots of challenges for employers and we all need to keep learning and implement the best practice on how we can support our staff. 'That's why the BBC has an online abuse guidance and reporting tool, which today provides all staff with information and support on how to address and combat online abuse. 'The BBC has also expanded its mental wellbeing resources and strengthened our internal investigative capabilities. We are significantly better equipped to manage these issues now and in the future, but we will never be complacent.' Belfield, who ran his own YouTube channel, was found guilty after a trial at Nottingham Crown Court of waging a relentless stalking campaign, with Mr Vine subjected to an 'avalanche of hatred'. Jurors convicted Belfield of four charges, committed between 2012 and 2021, of causing serious alarm or distress and 'simple' stalking in relation to Mr Vine and Mr Dehany. Mr Vine described the abuse as "absolutely Olympic-level stalking, even for broadcasting". On X, he wrote: 'It's right that the BBC apologise for its early responses when women at BBC Leeds were targeted by the criminal stalker Alex Belfield. 'They were told to 'ignore and delete' his thousands of abusive emails, when actually the advice should have been 'log and keep'.' He claimed this was 'bad advice', and 'the BBC began to take the case seriously only when (ex-BBC boss Lord) Tony Hall and (director-general) Tim Davie took charge. I hope this statement from the BBC (and any compensation) helps these four survivors put this awful case behind them. 'Belfield's was a landmark conviction in internet stalking, abuse and harassment.'
BBC News
12-03-2025
- BBC News
Alex Belfield: BBC apologises to staff targeted by stalker
The BBC has given a "full and unreserved apology" for not doing enough to help staff who alleged relentless abuse by a BBC presenter Alex Belfield, from Nottingham, was jailed for five-and-a-half years in September 2022 after being convicted of four stalking charges against broadcasters including Channel 5 host and BBC Radio 2 DJ Jeremy Wednesday, the BBC issued a statement saying it cared "deeply about the welfare of its staff".The corporation also said it had "strengthened its internal investigative capabilities". In a statement, the BBC said: "People who work for the BBC are often in the public eye and under scrutiny, however, it is unacceptable for anyone to be the target of sustained abuse in the way that Rozina Breen, Elizabeth Green, Stephanie Hirst and Helen Thomas were over a number of years."Following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court, Belfield was found not guilty of stalking charges in relation to the BBC's former head of north Ms Breen, ex-Radio Leeds presenters Ms Green and Ms Hirst, and the director of BBC England Ms indefinite restraining orders were made by the judge banning Belfield from contacting the Justice Saini said: "Each of them suffered a campaign of harassment by email and social media communications. Each of them suffered serious mental health problems arising from Mr Belfield's conduct." The BBC's statement went on to say: "The BBC cares deeply about the welfare of its staff and we recognise that before 2019 we simply didn't do enough for these members of staff in understanding the full impact that Alex Belfield's unacceptable behaviour had on them."For that we are deeply sorry and offer a full and unreserved apology. "Abuse - particularly on social media - presents lots of challenges for employers and we all need to keep learning and implement the best practice on how we can support our staff."That's why the BBC has an online abuse guidance and reporting tool, which today provides all staff with information and support on how to address and combat online abuse."The BBC has also expanded its mental wellbeing resources and strengthened our internal investigative capabilities. "We are significantly better equipped to manage these issues now and in the future, but we will never be complacent." 'Olympic-level stalking' Belfield was sent to prison after a jury found him guilty of stalking BBC Radio Northampton presenter Bernard Spedding, known as Bernie Keith, and videographer Ben relation to Vine and theatre blogger Philip Dehany, Belfield was convicted of two lesser offences of "simple" stalking, which does not require serious alarm or distress to be trial heard Belfield, who ran his own YouTube channel with a large number of followers, targeted his victims over several described the harassment as "like an avalanche of hatred you get hit by", and "absolutely Olympic-level stalking, even for broadcasting".
