Anna Friel has spoken of her ordeal after a man who stalked her for three years was handed a 15-year restraining order. Phil Appleton, 71, a former pilot and actor, was sentenced at Reading Magistrates Court after admitting stalking the Brookside star.
The court heard that Appleton first approached Friel in 2022 while she was walking with her daughter in Windsor. He claimed to have worked with her and she mistakenly gave him her email. He then sent her regular messages, saying he loved her and inviting her to meals, and he told friends he planned to marry her.
Despite being warned by police in early 2023 after Friel reported him, Appleton continued his pursuit. In December 2024, he turned up at her home in a dinner jacket, mouthed 'I love you' to her security camera, and held up a ring. He returned the next morning and again later, causing Friel to scream and call police.
In a victim impact statement, Friel said: 'This case has made me feel very threatened and makes me feel like I am having to look over my shoulder all the time.' She added that Appleton had 'invaded' her private life and that the situation had been 'incredibly time-consuming'.
The judge imposed a 24-month community order on Appleton, with 10 rehabilitation days, and a restraining order barring him from contacting Friel or entering certain areas. The case has highlighted ongoing concerns about police handling of stalking cases in England and Wales.
