Broadcaster Myleene Klass has spoken of her 'sheer terror' as the man who stalked her and a colleague over a four-year period faces sentencing today. Peter Windsor was found guilty of stalking the Loose Women presenter and her Classic FM co-host, Katie Breathwick, following a campaign of harassment that included sending an air pistol, handcuffs, and hundreds of bizarre letters.
A protracted campaign of harassment
Between March 2020 and August 2024, Windsor inundated the women by posting packages to their central London radio studios. The court heard he sent around 100 notes and gifts, which also included a police uniform, a DIY will-writing kit, binoculars, running shoes, a stamp collection, and bottles of champagne.
Katie Breathwick alerted Myleene to the escalating situation, feeling her colleague needed to be aware. The content of the letters became increasingly disturbing. In one, Windsor referred to Klass as a 'naughty vixen' and expressed a desire to go paddling in a lake with both women while drinking champagne.
The moment it became 'extremely real'
The arrival of an air pistol marked a terrifying escalation. Myleene Klass told the court: 'He said to me that whilst the gun wasn't necessary for a licence in this country, at such close proximity right up to 6ft it could prove fatal and police took it very seriously. I was extremely shocked because suddenly it felt extremely real. It's a gun in a box with my name on it.'
One accompanying letter, signed 'Petey Pope', read: 'Dear Myleene, Introducing the nemesis Caig Sterling gun (Champions 60's telly show), if things get scary for you (deterrent).'
Defence claims and a troubling history
During the trial, it emerged that Windsor had previously been arrested, but not prosecuted, after sending a letter 'signed in blood' to then-Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in October 2020, in which he 'pledged his soul to Satan'. He told jurors this was 'just a joke'.
His defence barrister, Philip Brunt, stated that Windsor had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia for the past 30 years and had no previous convictions. Brunt argued Windsor had sent the parcels and letters as a 'pretend weird' acting performance and had not followed anyone or been told to stop.
Windsor, who has used multiple names including Peter Szymanski, legally changed his surname by deed poll. The Crown alleged the content of his communications 'was obsessional and demonstrated his obsessive interest', leaving the victims 'worried about things like just going to work'.
Sentencing options and criticism of the law
Judge Tom Rochford informed Windsor that sentencing options include a prison term or two types of hospital orders. The case has highlighted concerns over stalking legislation in the UK. Myleene Klass has previously criticised the laws as outdated, noting they were originally written in the 1800s.
The sentencing brings a close to a devastating ordeal for the two radio presenters, who were targeted persistently at their place of work over a significant period.
