A dangerous stalker suffering from schizophrenia has been convicted after waging a terrifying campaign of harassment against television presenter Myleene Klass, which included sending an air pistol through the post and writing disturbing letters referring to her as a "naughty vixen".
The Disturbing Evidence
Wood Green Crown Court heard how 39-year-old Michael Jarman subjected the former Hear'Say singer to a barrage of unwanted communications between December 2022 and February 2023. The court was presented with multiple handwritten letters containing increasingly worrying content that left Klass fearing for her safety.
In one particularly chilling development, Jarman posted an air pistol to the Classic FM host's home address, escalating what had begun as written harassment into a potentially dangerous physical threat.
Mental Health Context
The court learned that Jarman, from Harlow in Essex, had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was under the care of mental health services at the time of the offences. His condition reportedly contributed to the obsessive behaviour that manifested in the stalking campaign.
Despite his mental health challenges, the judge found Jarman capable of understanding the nature of his actions and their impact on the victim.
Celebrity Vulnerability
This case highlights the ongoing security concerns faced by public figures in the UK, particularly women in the entertainment industry. Klass, known for her television presenting and music career, joins a growing list of celebrities who have been targeted by obsessive stalkers.
The conviction comes amid increasing calls for better protection for public figures and improved handling of stalking cases by authorities.
Legal Outcome
Jarman was found guilty of stalking involving serious alarm or distress following a trial. The court has ordered psychiatric reports ahead of sentencing, recognising the complex intersection of mental health and criminal behaviour in this disturbing case.
Sentencing has been adjourned until later this month, with Jarman remanded in custody until that time.
