Police inquiry opened Feb 2020 Nottinghamshire Police. On Count 5 you were convicted of stalking Mr Bernard Spedding - known professionally as Bernie Keith. Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Play it now! The optics arent good former managing editor at BBC Radio Leeds Rozina Breen. Mr Spedding said Belfield's YouTube videos, emails and social media messages had included highly abusive language and a threat to "hound you for the rest of your life". That is why I say your stalking is in many respects more serious than a conventional stalker, the judge said. "Despite four women not securing guilty verdicts, today's custodial sentences are a welcome relief," she wrote. It didnt work. Keith tried in vain to get YouTube to remove all of the libellous videos, even turning up at the social networks HQ to beg it in person. Im clearly of more risk to this country than a man who is attracted to children, he deadpanned. Feb 8. ?99 WVdb5KckkVQg;E!qr 0^^jY{EILg%)%4BfyCyvy) 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 prosecution said the YouTuber's stalking was more akin to 'internet trolling' than physical stalking, sending emails, tweets or making videos and subjecting victims to harassment and abuse - some of them over the course of many years. The judge said one of his victims came close to killing himself. I accept the evidence that Mr Belfield effectively followed these women by online harassment throughout their careers, said the judge. He soon made enemies in the theatre world, says a director who started monitoring his online activities a few years ago (and who wishes to remain anonymous). He hated being told how to improve by Jeremy, and thats where I think it all started.. Alex Belfield repeatedly posted abusive social media messages after his BBC contract wasn't renewed (Picture: PA) . When blocked on Twitter he used other accounts to see what I was tweeting and routinely publicly mocked me to his social media followers, posting screengrabs he could only have obtained by using an account that I hadn't blocked.". Even after YouTube stopped him making money from his channel, Belfield was still reasonably flush. According to the Institute of Lawfare, lawfare is the misuse and abuse of the law for political, commercial and military ends. We also want to learn from this to ensure we offer the best possible support to all colleagues, who may sadly experience the threat and risks of online stalking in the future., Last Friday, the four BBC women received an email saying the BBC had commissioned an internal review to establish what lessons can be learned from the recent criminal case. 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. He was convicted Friday, August 5, 2022, on four counts of stalking. At conservative gathering, Trump is still the favourite. BBC & RPC lawyers refuse to deny BBC DJ Bernard Spedding / Bernie Keith wrote email. Unprovoked, anonymous, malicious email published by Ben Hewis Oct 1 2019. One of the alleged victims - TV and radio presenter Jeremy Vine (pictured arriving at Nottingham Crown Court) - told the trial last week that 42-year-old Belfield is 'the Jimmy Savile of trolling'. But some of the complainants feel they never really got justice. It was hard to take any satisfaction from the jailing of this despicable man when he will not serve a single day in jail for what he did to the four Leeds women, he said. Former BBC radio personality Alex Belfield, 42, is also a vlogger from Nottinghamshire. Apparently jealous that Keith's BBC career carried on while his own was . The judge told Belfield that while not traditional stalking, his methods were just as effective a way of intimidating victims and in many ways much harder to deal with. I AM A VICTIM OF A CRIME. The 42-year-old, from Nottingham, is due to be sentenced on 16 September and has been warned he could be jailed. I NEED YOUR HELP TO GET JUSTICE. Despite later coming out as a member of the LGBT community when defending himself against allegations of homophobia in his trial, Belfield attempted to project an image of rampant heterosexuality for much of his life, with frequent references to breasticles and the current or future Mrs Belfield. Belfield started wearing Trump polo shirts and began campaigning against small boat crossings in the Channel, using a dinghy as a prop for his live shows. (The person to be protected does not have to have been the victim of the acts mentioned above. Both had come to the defence of others under attack by Belfield. 203 Adams Ave. Eufaula, OK 74432 what is kip holden doing now They were exonerated. I hope you take some time to consider Bernie Keith's statement. Belfield looked pale as he was led down to the cells as more than 20 of his supporters watched silently from the public gallery. He did so after the prosecution told him the maximum sentence for this offence was five years, but the maximum sentence is actually 10 years. Alex Belfields online harassment made life misery for BBC presenters Jeremy Vine, Liz Green and many others. Corporate Lawfare and Stalking. A former BBC radio presenter has been found guilty of stalking four people including broadcaster Jeremy Vine. 'On Saturday nights I wasn't allowed to be in the (BBC Radio Northampton) building on my own. Belfield was jailed after being found guilty of stalking four victims 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". The judge referred to the victims graphic and distressing evidence in court about the impact of Belfields campaign of harassment, and how he had been just seconds away from dying by suicide. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. BBC Radio Northampton presenter Bernie Keith was left feeling suicidal by a "tsunami of hate", jurors heard. Published: 11:08 EST, 21 July 2022 | Updated: 11:22 EST, 21 July 2022. However, he has also been charged with stalking Bernie Keith and videographer Ben Hewis. To those who had been monitoring Belfields output for the past few years, it was no surprise that he wanted the final word. 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'. Feb 10th, doors at 7, first dance at 7.30- 11.30. His anti-BBC stance soon attracted prominent support: Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen appeared on his shows and last year wrote to Priti Patel, then home secretary, to complain about what he called a BBC witch-hunt against Belfield, after one of his arrests. Mr Justice Saini, sentencing, told Belfield, who sat taking notes in the dock: Your offences are so serious only a custodial sentence can be justified.. That prompted Belfield to set up his secret Voice of Reason channel, which streamed behind a paywall on his website. '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.'. Articles by Alex Belfield on Muck Rack. The relief was temporary. At NorthantsLive we're more than just news. Ex-BBC DJ Alex Belfield has been jailed for five-and-a-half years for stalking four colleagues including BBC Radio Northampton's Bernie Keith. alex belfield wife name. Sentencing Belfield, the judge said he had made this highly successful and confident radio presenter lose all joy in life and turned him into a shell He was terrified of you. So scared was Keith that he gave neighbours a copy of Belfields photograph, in case he decided to take his campaign of harassment offline. Belfield was 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. Unless there are broadcast prohibitions attached to his release, there is nothing to stop Belfield firing up Voice of Reason again when he gets out of jail. Breen says she and others flagged Belfields behaviour repeatedly but were told just not to look at the emails, or to delete them. He will be even more unbearable, she said in an Instagram video, with a twinkle in her eye that suggested she can hardly wait. His trial heard he made YouTube videos about them, posted messages on social media, sent emails, and also encouraged those that follow him to target them. 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. What will the next pandemic be? Saying he was proud of how he had managed to keep his troubles from his audience, the radio presenter continued: 'It's come at a huge personal toll. Video, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims, US-made cheese can be called 'gruyere' - court, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress, The children left behind in Cuba's exodus, Alex Murdaugh's legal troubles are far from over, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies at 61, Walkie Talkie architect Rafael Violy dies aged 78, Sonic boom heard as RAF Typhoon jets escort plane, Nelson's 97th-minute stunner gives Arsenal victory. He soon made it to the top of Belfields hitlist, featuring regularly as a hate figure in his videos and social media posts. Thats a word I have never heard We four were left to suffer and are suffering still, she says. 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. Bernie confirms on air 'they' think he's "bonkers & loony toons". He said there was no escape for Belfields victims until bail conditions were imposed ahead of his trial, and agreed with Mr Vines characterisation that the ex-DJ had weaponised the internet against his targets. Vine said it is very, very important that the BBC learn lessons from what happened to the women at BBC Leeds. "My initial reaction [to the stalking] was 'He's gone mad'," Mr Spedding told the trial. Bernard Spedding ignored every single correspondence. He has been contacted 5 times to remove his outrageous claims. FORMER BBC radio presenter, Alex Belfield, has been jailed for five and a half years. 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". Some believe he relied on others as media monitors and had sources within the BBC itself: he seemed to know everything discussed on each of their radio shows every day, along with a number of internal matters. "He had to ask his family to watch out for you and to take care in and around their home address.". Alex Belfield was born in . The fact we were asked to ignore potentially criminal evidence is an issue. Breen and Green both think the BBC failed all four women who gave evidence against Belfield. Some feel he was given too much power in his own trial. 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. You are entitled to hold and express views but you are not entitled to destroy the personal lives of your victims through online harassment.. A BBC radio host has revealed that alleged stalking by an ex-staff member left him contemplating suicide. Alex Belfield, 42, who "weaponised the internet", . 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. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? "You made this highly successful and confident radio presenter lose all joy in life and turned him into a shell.". We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Start the ball rolling by posting a comment on this article! What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? Each of them suffered serious mental health problems arising from Mr Belfields conduct, he said, imposing indefinite restraining orders preventing Belfield from contacting the women. Then in June 2020, Katie Hopkins was permanently banned from Twitter, opening up a gap in the market for anti-woke, anti-immigrant polemics with an English accent. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Mr Vine faced a torrent of abuse online, including thousands of social media messages from Belfields followers and personal threats. Resolved: Release in which this issue/RFE has been resolved. Another BBC radio presenter, a transgender woman called Stephanie Hirst, became Belfields next target after refusing him an interview after her transition. 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. Ben Hewis is perverting the course of justice. On this page you will find important information about Human Potential Consultants based in Carson, CA, like the address, contact person and details, as well as the email address VideoRussian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, Xi Jinping's power grab - and why it matters, Snow, Fire and Lights: Photos of the Week. I think the jury thought: Oh, it cant have been that bad. She says Belfield has destroyed her mental health, and that she was so frightened that he or his followers would turn up at her house, she spent 20,000 on security measures. Belfield came with certain baggage, not least an Ofcom reprimand four years earlier, after he had referred to a pregnant teenager on Capital Gold as a dirty little slapper and a dirty little tart. 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. Hewis tweet and email vindictively intended to destroy my career and reputation. It sent this statement: Monetisation on the Voice of Reason channel remains suspended for violating our creator responsibility policy. Ben Hewis refuses to engage with the police and hand over the email. Belfield, 42, subjected four people in a "relentless" campaign of stalking - including broadcaster Jeremy Vine. UPDATE. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? Here's Celebrity Radio's BBC Bernie Keith & Ben Hewis STATEMENTFull statement on legal action & police inquiry - BBC Bernie Keith / Bernard Spedding & Ben Hewis . One of the BBC targets was Bernie Keith, a veteran presenter at BBC Radio Northampton who was once Belfields friend. y the time Belfield began tormenting Dehany in 2020 he had become a successful YouTuber who could have been earning up to 528,000 a year, according to Social Blade, a website that monitors social media channels. Each of them suffered a campaign of harassment by email and social media communications. Belfield clearly resented being there, recalls Hazell He was sulking and had a face like thunder. We have begged the BBC to resolve this quietly and privately. 2023 BBC. A civil stalking order is being pursued at the magistrates' court against former BBC DJ Alex Belfield, from Mapperley, who is now serving a sentence of more than five years in prison for his shameful conduct online. 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. I pleaded with him [Belfield] to stop. In August Belfield, of Mapperley, was convicted of stalking to cause alarm and distress to BBC Radio Northampton's Bernie Keith, and guilty of the same charge concerning videographer Ben Hewis. 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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. A-list trainer shares the ultimate do's and don'ts of workout etiquette - revealing why you should NEVER use a metal water bottle, Trump collaborates with January 6 prison choir in release of new single 'Justice for All' - which dropped ahead of his CPAC appearance, King Charles will offer Prince Harry and Meghan a Buckingham Palace apartment when they visit UK after kicking them out of Frogmore Cottage. Then, during a broadcast at Leeds Playhouse, he asked an elderly lady what colour knickers she was wearing, resulting in the theatre boycotting the station. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. For just over three minutes, the 42-year-old delivered a monologue in which he said he was in prison for simply defending himself. Copyright Celebrity Radio. Bernie Keith BBC Radio Northampton from Alex Belfield on Vimeo. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. The court heard the original application was amended to add two more people who did not form part of the criminal trial. "Stalking is a crime. American mom living in Paris mesmerizes internet after revealing the VERY surprising after-school snack kids eat in France. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Breen sacked him on the spot, but agreed to honour the last two months of his contract.