A former BBC native radio DJ has been jailed for 5 years and 26 weeks after being convicted of 4 stalking fees in opposition to broadcasters together with Jeremy Vine by which he “weaponised the web” in opposition to these he focused.
Alex Belfield, 42, was discovered responsible after a trial at Nottingham Crown Courtroom final month of waging a relentless stalking marketing campaign in opposition to broadcasters, with Mr Vine subjected to an “avalanche of hatred”.
TV and radio host Mr Vine labelled Belfield “the Jimmy Savile of trolling” throughout a trial which heard he repeatedly posted or despatched abusive messages, movies and emails.
Jurors accepted Belfield precipitated severe alarm or misery to 2 victims and was discovered responsible of “easy” 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.
Describing watching Belfield’s video output as like swimming in sewage, Mr Vine mentioned in courtroom of the defendant’s conduct: “It felt like I had a fish hook in my face and my flesh was being torn, and the one approach to keep away from additional ache was to remain utterly nonetheless.”
Jurors convicted Belfield, of Mapperley, Nottingham, of 4 fees dedicated between 2012 and 2021.
Sentencing Belfield, who sat taking notes within the courtroom dock, Mr Justice Saini informed him: “Your offences are so severe, solely a custodial sentence will be justified.”
He added a pre-sentence report confirmed whereas Belfield “totally acknowledges the misery to victims” it additionally “highlights you continue to seem to give attention to the impression on you and really feel in sure respects you’ve been unfairly handled”.
The decide informed Belfield that whereas not “conventional stalking”, “your strategies had been simply as efficient a means of intimidating victims and in some ways a lot tougher to cope with”.
He added there was “no escape” for Belfield’s victims, till bail circumstances had been imposed forward of his trial, and he agreed with Mr Vine’s characterisation that the ex-DJ had “weaponised the web” in opposition to these he focused.
He additionally ordered indefinite restraining orders be made in opposition to Belfield, in favour of his victims and 4 different people.