BBC Radio DJ Alex Belfield jailed for 5 years over stalking charges

2022-09-16

BBC Radio DJ Alex Belfield, 42, branded the ‘Jimmy Savile of trolling’ is jailed for five years after stalking Jeremy Vine and other stars by unleashing ‘tsunami of hate’ during nine-year abuse campaign

Alex Belfield was jailed for five years and 26 weeks at Nottingham Crown Court
He was found guilty of a relentless stalking campaign against broadcasters
TV’s Jeremy Vine labelled him ‘the Jimmy Savile of trolling’ during a trial

Former BBC local radio DJ Alex Belfield who was branded the ‘Jimmy Savile of trolling’ has been jailed for five years after being convicted of four stalking charges against broadcasters including Jeremy Vine.

Belfield, 42, was found guilty after trial last month of waging a relentless stalking campaign against broadcasters, with TV’s Jeremy Vine subjected to an ‘avalanche of hatred’.

Vine labelled him ‘the Jimmy Savile of trolling’ during a trial which heard he repeatedly posted or sent abusive messages, videos and emails.

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.

Jeremy Vine also gave evidence against Belfield, telling jurors: ‘This is not a regular troll here. This is the Jimmy Savile of trolling.’

Alex Belfield, 42, was found guilty after trial last month of waging a relentless stalking campaign against broadcasters

Jeremy Vine (left) gave evidence in the trial of former BBC Radio Leeds presenter Alex Belfield (right). They are both pictured outside court on July 13

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 convicted Belfield of four charges committed between 2012 and 2021.

Belfield has been given a total of five years and 26 weeks in prison, of which he will serve half, on all four charges he was convicted of.

Mr Justice Saini, sentencing, told Belfield, who was sat taking notes in the court dock: ‘Your offences are so serious, only a custodial sentence can be justified.’

Jurors convicted Belfield (pictured) of four charges committed between 2012 and 2021

Belfield pictured taking a selfie outside Nottingham Crown Court before an earlier court appearance

He added 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 Belfield 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 and agreed with Mr Vine’s characterisation the ex-DJ had ‘weaponised the internet’ against those he targeted.

He also ordered indefinite restraining orders be made against Belfield, in favour of his victims and four other individuals.

More follows.

Source: Read Full Article