A man with a long-standing obsession with singer and television personality Cheryl has been sentenced to additional prison time after brazenly flouting a restraining order from behind bars.
Joseph Collins, 39, was already serving a sentence for previous stalking offences when he orchestrated a campaign to send the former Girls Aloud star more than 1,000 letters. The breach was described as "persistent and deliberate" by prosecutors at Westminster Magistrates' Court.
A Campaign of Harassment from Prison
Despite a court order explicitly forbidding him from contacting Cheryl or referencing her in any communication, Collins managed to have the letters sent to her representative. The court heard that the correspondence was sent over a period of time, demonstrating a calculated effort to continue his harassment.
District Judge Michael Snow, presiding over the case, condemned Collins's actions, stating they had caused "significant distress" to the victim. The judge emphasised that the sanctity of a court order must be upheld, regardless of the offender's circumstances.
History of Offences
Collins's fixation on Cheryl is not new. He was previously convicted in 2021 for stalking the celebrity and was subject to a restraining order designed to protect her. His latest actions, committed from within the prison system, show a disturbing escalation and a blatant disregard for the law.
In addition to the new jail term, the existing restraining order was reaffirmed, extending the legal protection for Cheryl upon Collins's eventual release.
This case highlights the challenges of protecting individuals from determined stalkers, even when they are incarcerated, and the legal system's commitment to enforcing protective orders.
