Actor Adam Rickitt's Year-Long Stalker Terror: Child Rape Fantasies Revealed in Court
Former Coronation Street and Hollyoaks heart-throb Adam Rickitt was left living in fear during a year-long terror campaign by a stalker who confessed to fantasising about raping a child, a court has heard. The 47-year-old actor and singer, who runs a pub in Knutsford, Cheshire, detailed the harrowing ordeal that forced him onto anti-anxiety medication and left him fearing for his safety and that of his staff.
Disturbing Confessions and Threats
Mr Rickitt told Crewe Magistrates Court how he initially barred Ron Kleihues, 52, and contacted police after the man made disturbing threats. Despite these measures, Kleihues hounded the actor with letters and messages, warning: 'If you persist in preventing me from entering your establishment, I will dismantle all that you stand for.'
The situation escalated dramatically when Kleihues turned up uninvited at Mr Rickitt's Dexter and Jones bar, forcing the actor to place him in a headlock after he menaced staff members. The court heard how Kleihues had become fixated with one particular staff member, 'declaring his love' for her in disturbing communications.
Child Rape Fantasies Revealed
During a recorded conversation that lasted an hour and a half, Kleihues confessed to watching child pornography and fantasising about raping a child. Mr Rickitt recounted: 'He said he had not done anything to a child but he was finding it harder and harder not to. I contacted 999 and explained he was not welcome at Dexter and Jones any more and that he should seek help.'
The actor expressed his profound fear to the court: 'My big fear was not doing enough and that a child was going to get raped because I had not managed to get him stopped. I asked if he had raped a child and he replied "no" but said "the demons" were keeping him awake at night.'
Escalating Harassment and Safety Measures
Despite being barred from the premises and spoken to by police, Kleihues continued his campaign of harassment. Mr Rickitt and his wife Katy, a former Good Morning Britain presenter, made safety arrangements fearing Kleihues would ambush and stab them in the street. The actor revealed: 'I would not let my wife walk home alone and I was scared for the staff.'
The harassment reached a peak on Christmas Day when Mr Rickitt and his wife found a letter written in stencils at their closed bar. The actor described it as 'basically saying that he was going to end me if I kept on insisting denying him happiness.' When Kleihues later forced entry during a family event, Mr Rickitt had to physically remove him, patting him down for weapons in the process.
Impact on Health and Relationships
The prolonged stress took a severe toll on Mr Rickitt's wellbeing. He told the court: 'I ended up having to go on anti-anxiety medication. My physical well being was down and I had convulsions during the night from stress. My wife and I had arguments and I became very scared for my staff.'
One staff member testified about their fear: 'I was really scared for a while, especially when the letters and things and texts kept coming in, that I would not be safe working on my own. Every time I got a text I did not know if it was going to be him.'
Court Outcome and Sentencing
Kleihues, who lives in Knutsford, initially denied wrongdoing but pleaded guilty to stalking and harassment after hearing Mr Rickitt give evidence. He faces up to 16 weeks' custody under sentencing guidelines when he is sentenced next month. He has been bailed on condition he does not contact Mr Rickitt or his staff and does not enter the Dexter and Jones bar.
Throughout the ordeal, Mr Rickitt maintained concern for Kleihues' mental health while protecting his own family and staff. He told the court in recorded conversations played to magistrates: 'I am bothered about your mental wellbeing and what you need to do is get some professional help. I cannot help you. I am not a medical professional. You need proper help.'
