A man who has waged a relentless stalking campaign against singer and TV personality Cheryl has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after breaching a restraining order for the second time.
Joshua Roper, 36, was found guilty at Manchester Crown Court of contacting the former Girls Aloud star despite being legally prohibited from doing so. This marks the latest chapter in a disturbing pattern of harassment that has spanned several years.
A Pattern of Persistent Harassment
The court heard how Roper sent unwanted communications to Cheryl, violating the strict terms of a restraining order that was originally imposed to protect the celebrity from his obsessive behaviour.
This isn't the first time Roper has found himself in legal trouble for targeting the singer. He previously received a suspended sentence in 2022 for similar offences, demonstrating an unwillingness to cease his unwanted attentions despite court intervention.
Legal Consequences for Repeated Offences
Judge Nicholas Dean KC delivered the sentence, emphasising the seriousness of repeatedly ignoring court orders designed to protect victims from stalkers. The 12-month prison term reflects the court's stance on enforcing restraining orders and protecting individuals from persistent harassment.
The prosecution detailed how Roper's actions caused significant distress to Cheryl, who has had to maintain heightened security measures due to his fixation.
Celebrity Stalking - An Ongoing Concern
This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by public figures in maintaining their personal safety. Despite legal protections, determined stalkers can continue to find ways to contact their targets, creating lasting psychological impacts.
Cheryl's case follows a worrying trend of celebrities being targeted by obsessive individuals who refuse to respect boundaries or legal restrictions.
The sentence serves as a stark warning that breaches of restraining orders will be treated with the utmost seriousness by the courts, with prison time being the likely outcome for repeat offenders.
