Coronation Street actress Stephanie Beacham has admitted that she has been left struggling to learn her lines and doesn’t feel safe in her own home anymore after a “terrifying” armed raid.
Stephanie, 75, was threatened with a two-foot metal bar by David Wilson, 57, when he broke into her property in Bayswater, London.
The Dynasty star confronted the intruder who was described in court as a “habitual career burglar” as he wielded a “jemmy” bar that he raised in a striking motion as he warned her: “Don’t look at me.”
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Addressing Southwark Crown Court prosecutor John Traversi explained how Stephanie was left fearing for her life as she was subjected to the ordeal.
He said: “During the course of this incident, which was terrifying for Ms Beacham, when in the circumstances of which she found herself, she had real fears for her life.”
(Image: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Wilson was sentenced to 10 years and five months in jail on Wednesday ( February 22) after he plead guilty to aggravated burglary at Stephanie’s home on October 25 2022, as well as a second burglary in Sheffield on May 5 2021.
Sentencing him, Judge Martin Griffiths said: “What you did had a traumatic effect on her.
“You violated the safe space of her home causing her to be suspicious of non-existent threats and even the difficulty of learning her lines when she goes for an acting job.”
(Image: PA)
Reading from Stephanie’s victim statement Mr Traversi added: “She says what she had considered her very safe, cosy, cottage no longer feels safe.”
The prosecutor also described how Ms Beacham had arrived home and thought she heard a noise downstairs so had her neighbour stand at the door while she investigated it.
He said: “Ms Beacham had a knife in her hand and didn’t even realise this. She didn’t know what she would’ve done, if anything.
(Image: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty I)
“She had to ask her partner to come and get cash out of a cashpoint and felt herself being more aware of people in the streets and making more of a conscious effort to avoid contact with others.
“She found it very hard to learn her lines. She is an actor. She found it hard to concentrate and without the support of those at work with her, she thought she may have difficulty fulfilling her contract.
“She was frightened to return home, which she had always considered as her safe place. She considered herself strong mentally but it made her feel old and vulnerable.”
The court then heard how the star has had to double her sleep mediation since the ordeal, as well as suffering from nightmares and panic attacks, and how she no longer walks her dog when it is dark.
(Image: Mike Marsland/WireImage)
Mr Traversi continued: “She has had mental holographic images of the defendant standing at the end of the bed with the weapon in his hand.
He then described in more detail what happened on the night in question.
“When he came up the stairs she had her phone in her hand. He told her to drop it and to get upstairs.
“She did as she was ordered and went to the bathroom. He then said to her, ‘give me your money’, and she emptied her wallet.
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“Not satisfied with that, he said, ‘That’s not your money’ and went on to tell her, ‘give me your jewellery’. She took a silver bracelet from her wrist and gave it to him.”
Wilson then signalled towards an oriental chest and said : “There’s your jewellery,” using the jemmy to open it and go through her personal belongings.
Mr Traversi added: “He turned to Ms Beacham and held the bar up in line with his head in a striking motion and said, ‘don’t look at me’.
“She bravely enough replied she was not looking at him. He then said, ‘I wish you weren’t here,’ telling her again to stop looking at him and sending her into the bathroom.”
The court heard how Ms Beacham then locked herself in the bathroom and called the police when Wilson had left the property.
He also stole her iPhone, purse, bank cards, driving licence and a pair of earrings.
Repeat offender Wilson has 64 previous convictions, including 34 for burglary and attempted burglary and two for aggravated burglary.
Representing Mr Wilson, defence lawyer Claire Mawer said he had been addicted to crack cocaine and heroin since the age of 15, and explained he had written a letter where he claimed: “What I did was so wrong and I understand the effect my offending had”.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
