Denise Welch’s stalker has been sentenced to seven years and seven months after he admitted to a number of charges against him.
Toraq Wyngard pleaded guilty to stalking, possessing a knife, criminal damage and arson at a trial at Chester Crown Court in September 2021.
The 63-year-old had targeted Loose Women star, Denise, between September 18, 2020, and February 11, 2021.
Wyngard had initially posed as a press photographer and was found with two cameras in his bag, during a further inspection of his home, police found more cameras, both normal and covert alongside a pair of binoculars.
The court heard that the couple now spends £2,000 a month on additional security.
Giving evidence from Los Angeles, Denise told the court: “It has changed my life, I have a wonderful life and this man has permanently scarred it,” adding: “This whole experience terrified me and continues to do so.”
(Image: ITV)
Sentencing Wyngard, Judge Michael Leeming said: “You have expressed not a single word of regret, not a single word of concern for your victims at all.
“Your only concern is for your own interests.”
He also made Wyngard subject to a restraining order, with conditions including not to enter Wilmslow.
The judge said: “It is not clear to me, given your attitude to this case, your attempt to vacate your guilty pleas without any proper foundation, and your repeated, continued denials of any criminality when the risk you pose to Mr and Mrs Townley might reduce to such an extent that the order is no longer required.”
(Image: PA)
Wyngard was found nearby Denise’s home she shares with her husband Lincoln Townley by officers, who also discovered a knife in his backpack.
Police had been called to a fire on her driveway on September 19 back in 2020.
According to police, the fire had spread from a skip to a garage that was attached to the property.
At the time of the trial, Denise said in a statement released via the police that she was “very relieved” that Wyngard had admitted to the charges.
(Image: ITV)
She said: “This has been an incredibly terrifying and stressful time for me and our family.
“We are grateful to the fire service for their prompt action saving our house and to the police for their amazing vigilance and support.”
Detective Sergeant Dave Thomason said: “I’d like to thank Denise for her bravery in coming forward and I hope this reassures other victims that we do listen and take action against those who carry out such distressing crimes in our communities.”
Wyngard had been scheduled to be sentenced on October 26 last year, however, it was moved to a later date as he suggested he wanted to change his guilty plea.
His application to change the plea was overturned though.
Judge Michael Leeming apologised to Denise and her husband Lincoln at the time, as they had attended the court expecting to witness the sentencing.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
