"Throughout this trial, victims and other witnesses have given evidence with dignity and I would like to thank them for their willingness to give evidence. Weve presented the BBC and RPCs Nicola Cain (now left the case as Bernies lawyer) with indisputable evidence that we believe BBC Northamptons Bernie Keith wrote this unprovoked attack. Philip Dehany, a rival theatre blogger, who was targeted by Belfield in YouTube videos. He also agreed with Mr Vines characterisation that the ex-DJ had weaponised the internet against those he targeted. Bernie Keith (pictured) who presents mid-morning shows and a weekly rock 'n' roll programme on BBC Radio Northampton, said former BBC Radio Leeds DJ Alex Belfield had subjected him to 'naked' hatred and false claims, Prosecutors allege that Belfield (pictured arriving at Nottingham Crown Court), who hosts a radio channel on YouTube, waged a relentless nine-year campaign of stalking against eight victims, including ex-colleagues, after BBC Radio Leeds did not renew his contract in 2011. It is a powerful weapon for fighting political or commercial enemies . ): They boast glorious ocean views, but swathes of homes along America's coastlines are at risk of tumbling off CLIFFS due to erosion, rising sea levels and extreme weather events, Are YOU guilty of these gym sins? Our fears and anxiety were downplayed. Helen Thomas, now director of BBC England, told the jury that she was told to man up by a BBC boss when she complained about Belfields behaviour. Ben Hewis intended to destroy my life, reputation and career. A cruel former BBC local radio presenter who stalked broadcasters including TV's Jeremy Vine and BBC Northampton's Bernie Keith has been jailed for more than five years. If you can help with mounting legal costs please email alex@alexbelfield.co.uk, Uploaded by Alex Belfield at Celebrity Radio 13th March 2020. Aaron Sidwell was smart enough to retract his comments immediately: Phillip Dehany refuses to delete his post/vlog repeating the lies and endorsing Hewis. Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims. By the time Belfield began tormenting Dehany in 2020 he had become a successful YouTuber who could have been earning up to 528,000 a year, according to Social Blade, a website that monitors social media channels. Belfield rang Mr Dehanys parents home, where he was shielding during lockdown, and recorded the call for his subscribers while speaking to Mr Dehanys mother. Belfield currently hosts the Voice of Reason YouTube channel, which has over 372,000 subscribers. Alex Belfield, 42, who "weaponised the internet", was last month found guilty at Nottingham Crown Court of waging a relentless campaign, with TV's Mr Vine subjected to an "avalanche of hatred". Corporate Lawfare and Stalking. Read about our approach to external linking. Vine said it is very, very important that the BBC learn lessons from what happened to the women at BBC Leeds. But some of the complainants feel they never really got justice. Jeremy Vine arriving at Nottingham Crown Court in July. An ex-BBC boss has told a court how she felt as though she had a "noose around my neck" after being stalked by a former Radio Leeds DJ. He had never gone near anyone, he insisted, and was not accused of threatening any violence. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. It was a nine-year obsession, which saw him make what the judge described as the false and scandalous accusation that Keith regularly had sex in public on gay beaches with strangers. Do not sell or share my personal information. As well as jailing Belfield, Mr Justice Saini issued indefinite restraining orders banning the DJ from contacting his victims. Dehany ended up the subject of numerous YouTube broadcasts where Belfield suggested he was mentally ill, and called him a mincer and a little twirly with an incredibly tiny man sausage. Although jurors found Belfield not guilty of stalking Liz Green, Rozina Breen, Helen Thomas and Stephanie Hirst, Mr Justice Saini said Belfield had harassed them, and he made restraining orders to protect them in future. "I will never be able to work out why it has happened to me.". Belfield came with certain baggage, not least an Ofcom reprimand four years earlier, after he had referred to a pregnant teenager on Capital Gold as a dirty little slapper and a dirty little tart. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. =NYOn:0'tzcD|k1xKx^-58nn-~?Oo>K KJ9OVJN3>:EOLbTk*q2ScG=UrS+0t-qNXZ.3X ;{h0B. His planned appeal has now been mentioned in court by the trial judge, at a hearing which related to an error made when Belfield was sentenced. Even after YouTube stopped him making money from his channel, Belfield was still reasonably flush. The BBC reports Alex Belfield, . Alex Belfield was born in . The morning of his sentencing, Belfield had sat silent in the dock at Nottingham crown court as barrister David Aubrey KC finally mitigated on his behalf. Read about our approach to external linking. He also contacted Hewiss clients to undermine his business and encouraged his followers to join in with the abuse. At first, he grew his audience with silly sketches and phone-ins, railing against government Covid policy, particularly the ban on care-home visits. According to GoFundMe, which hosted the appeals, he raised a total of 29,446. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Why did it take so long to bring him to justice? Belfield, who has 361,000 followers on his YouTube channel, The Voice Of Reason, and 43,000 on Twitter, directed his attacks via social media in highly negative and often abusive terms, the judge said. Within hours, a video appeared on Belfields secret video channel, accessible to anyone willing to pay him a pound a week. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. . After stopping the counselling after three sessions Mr Keith said he also spoke to a specialist who helped stalking victims. %%EOF
Ben Hewis is a videographer who works in the theatre and wedding industries and Philip Dehany was a rival theatre blogger. VideoRussian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, Xi Jinping's power grab - and why it matters, Snow, Fire and Lights: Photos of the Week. Remorseless Belfield videos himself as he arrives at court in July. Last month, Belfield was found guilty of stalking Hewis and BBC Radio Northampton presenter Bernie Keith, and convicted of "simple" stalking - which means stalking without alarm or distress . The Version table provides details related to the release that this issue/RFE will be addressed. Mr Justice Saini said Belfield developed a fixation in pursuing Mr Vine with a campaign of abuse, with the broadcaster having to warn his wife and children to watch out for the defendant, especially after his home address was published by his followers. Why would he/they not deny it if he didnt send it? Belfield was not accused of physically stalking the complainants, who were mostly current or former BBC staff. Others were their boss, Rozina Breen, and Ms Breen's boss Helen Thomas. Bernie Keith who presents mid-morning shows on BBC Radio Northampton, said former BBC Radio Leeds DJ Alex Belfield had subjected him to 'naked' hatred and false claims. The judge said that while Belfield did not physically approach or watch his victims, the effects were just as damaging. Former BBC DJ Belfield was jailed in September after he was found guilty of waging a relentless stalking campaign against BBC Radio Northampton's Bernie Keith, and subjecting TV presenter Jeremy . Then in June 2020, Katie Hopkins was permanently banned from Twitter, opening up a gap in the market for anti-woke, anti-immigrant polemics with an English accent. Unable to work and claiming to be on 86-a-week universal credit when the theatres shut, Belfield reinvented himself as a rightwing shockjock. The day he was found guilty he was wearing a Bermuda shirt and shorts. View our online Press Pack. A "cruel" former BBC local radio presenter has been jailed for five years and 26 weeks for stalking broadcasters including Jeremy Vine. VideoRussian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, Xi Jinping's power grab - and why it matters, Snow, Fire and Lights: Photos of the Week. BBC Radio Northampton presenter Bernie Keith was left feeling suicidal by a 'tsunami of hate', the trial heard. Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty, Why Trudeau is facing calls for a public inquiry, The shocking legacy of the Dutch 'Hunger Winter'. Bernie confirms on air they think hes bonkers & loony toons. Who is Alex Belfield and why has he been jailed? @decotheatre. He started his own online show, Celebrity Radio, bagging interviews with famous people in return for advertising plugs, and tried to sell himself as a theatre and restaurant reviewer. For the TV presenter Jeremy Vine, the most high-profile target of arguably Britains most prolific troll, it would be the first time in several years that he could host a live phone-in without worrying that one of Belfields acolytes would hijack the programme to confront him with Belfields lies. I think the jury thought: Oh, it cant have been that bad. She says Belfield has destroyed her mental health, and that she was so frightened that he or his followers would turn up at her house, she spent 20,000 on security measures. Alex Belfield arriving at Nottingham Crown Court on the day of his sentencing. In Mr Keiths case, the abuse was sustained over nine years, with the judge saying he had no escape from Belfield, who made up and repeated a wholly false and scandalous allegation about his former friend. 'Because of the tsunami of hate and threats that were coming in to me, we had to have someone else sat in the building with me.'. Ex-BBC presenter Alex Belfield's "campaign of harassment" had left Northampton's Bernie Keith "just seconds away" from suicide. Mr Vine was subjected to false and baseless claims relating to the supposed theft of 1,000, the court heard. After 6 months the BBC REFUSE to defend Bernie Keith and deny he sent it after 100+ emails. Read about our approach to external linking. Count 8: Jeremy Vine, not guilty to stalking to cause alarm and distress but guilty to simply stalking - Belfield is sentenced to 13 weeks consecutively for stalking Mr Vine. For PR Pros Overview; Media Database . READ MORE: The cinemas in Northamptonshire showing the Queen's funeral on Monday for free, Jurors accepted Belfield caused serious alarm or distress to two victims and found him guilty of simple stalking in relation to Channel 5 and BBC Radio 2 presenter Mr Vine and theatre blogger Philip Dehany. Bernie Keith confirms hes mentally ill and in therapy March 2020. We were the warm-up act.. Instantly disprovable lies published by Ben Hewis. The judge referred to the victims graphic and distressing evidence in court about the impact of Belfields campaign of harassment, and how he had been just seconds away from dying by suicide. A former BBC DJ has been found guilty of waging a relentless stalking campaign against broadcasters and subjecting TV presenter Jeremy Vine to an 'avalanche of hatred.' Alex Belfield was labelled . That is a picnic compared to this guy. Fans, largely older women, were often in the public gallery to show support. How much money Belfield made in recent years is unclear. A-list trainer shares the ultimate do's and don'ts of workout etiquette - revealing why you should NEVER use a metal water bottle, Trump collaborates with January 6 prison choir in release of new single 'Justice for All' - which dropped ahead of his CPAC appearance, King Charles will offer Prince Harry and Meghan a Buckingham Palace apartment when they visit UK after kicking them out of Frogmore Cottage. Another BBC radio presenter, a transgender woman called Stephanie Hirst, became Belfields next target after refusing him an interview after her transition. Bernard Spedding - guilty (majority verdict), Philip Dehany - not guilty to the charge on the indictment but guilty of the alternative charge of "simple" stalking (majority verdict), Jeremy Vine - not guilty to the charge on the indictment but guilty of the alternative charge of "simple" stalking (unanimous verdict). Police inquiry opened Feb 2020 Nottinghamshire Police. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. For each of these charges he was sentenced to two and a half years in prison, to run consecutively. Alex Belfield is currently in prison after being convicted of stalking four men, Belfield made videos throughout his trial and posted them on YouTube. Bernie Keith BBC Radio Northampton from Alex Belfield on Vimeo. Port Vale F.C. The judge, Mr Justice Saini, granted Belfield bail and told him to return to Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing next month. I had gone to the police to make it stop and it was just getting worse. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Both question why the corporation only really took the abuse seriously once a well-known man Vine was involved. He hated being told how to improve by Jeremy, and thats where I think it all started.. On Count 5, and BBC Radio Northampton's Bernie Keith. (The person to be protected does not have to have been the victim of the acts mentioned above. We also want to learn from this to ensure we offer the best possible support to all colleagues, who may sadly experience the threat and risks of online stalking in the future., Last Friday, the four BBC women received an email saying the BBC had commissioned an internal review to establish what lessons can be learned from the recent criminal case. Nobody from the corporation has apologised for what I and the others faced for more than a decade.. Im clearly of more risk to this country than a man who is attracted to children, he deadpanned. During his trial, the court heard from his stalking victims - including BBC Radio Northampton presenter Bernie Keith. Thats a word I have never heard We four were left to suffer and are suffering still, she says. In relation to the women, the judge said: "Each of them suffered a campaign of harassment by email and social media communications. At conservative gathering, Trump is still the favourite. = I;&
Never miss a crime story with our free email updates. Our community guidelines prohibit content that threatens individuals and we have removed several videos for violating these policies.. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Breen says she and others flagged Belfields behaviour repeatedly but were told just not to look at the emails, or to delete them. Mr Spedding said Belfield's YouTube videos, emails and social media messages had included highly abusive language and a threat to "hound you for the rest of your life". Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims. 'The counselling didn't work for me - I had never had counselling before and I found it very difficult, very alien.'. Belfields final BBC target was Vine, who made the mistake of responding after learning that Belfield had called him and fellow broadcaster Victoria Derbyshire cunts online. Though the BBC knew Belfield was spreading lies about them in public, at no point did anyone from the BBC refute the allegations, she says. He was convicted Friday, August 5, 2022, on four counts of stalking. Christmas is always Belfield's busiest time of the year. News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Heres Celebrity Radios BBC Bernie Keith & Ben Hewis STATEMENT. The effect on Keiths life was profound. It was lockdown that offered Belfield an opportunity to make some proper money. We were the learning curve for Belfield. Collaborations. Within days, 15,000 people had signed a Free Alex Belfield petition and Hopkins was on Instagram mocking Belfields targets for whining about simple hurty words. While never submitting himself to cross-examination, he was allowed to deliver a pompous closing speech deriding the case as a BBC and police witch-hunt and describing himself as the No 1 anti-BBC journalist. According to the Institute of Lawfare, lawfare is the misuse and abuse of the law for political, commercial and military ends. Ben Hewis refuses to engage with the police and hand over the email. Its like an avalanche of hatred that you get hit by., Vine didnt think he had ever even met Belfield, but another former BBC radio presenter, James Hazell, remembers Vine delivering a masterclass to local BBC presenters in 2010. His subscriber count has dropped, but still stands at 354,000. "Despite four women not securing guilty verdicts, today's custodial sentences are a welcome relief," she wrote. Belfield clearly resented being there, recalls Hazell He was sulking and had a face like thunder. Mr Justice Saini had sentenced Belfield to two-and-a-half years for stalking one of the complainants, Bernie Keith. Asked by prosecutor John McGuinness QC to explain the personal, professional and health impact of the alleged stalking, Mr Keith responded: 'I had physical threats and, I believe, death threats. UPDATE. It didnt work. The Court of Appeal has confirmed Belfield has made an application for permission to appeal his sentence, but said this is "still in the very early stages of the process". A wacky array of clothing Belfield arrives at court in August. dragonfly covid testing nyc. If that way was via abuse, then that was certainly effective in being part of your story. Barring a successful appeal, Belfield will serve at least the next two years and 39 weeks in jail, before being released on licence to serve the second half of his sentence. That all stopped in February this year when YouTube suspended monetisation on Belfields Voice of Reason for violating its creator policy, after a negative article in the Times about high-earning conspiracy theorists. It was a risk. Stephanie Hirst, who took over Alex Belfield's slot at BBC Radio . The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. %PDF-1.7
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Belfield had denied stalking the 57-year-old, and seven other alleged victims, claiming he was the subject of a witch hunt. endstream
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Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? You are entitled to hold and express views but you are not entitled to destroy the personal lives of your victims through online harassment.. Similar orders in favour of four other individuals the BBCs former head of the north Rozina Breen, former BBC Radio Leeds presenters Liz Green and Stephanie Hirst, and BBC executive Helen Thomas were also made. Both had come to the defence of others under attack by Belfield. "The Crown makes no submission that the overall sentence was, given the new knowledge of the legal position, inappropriate or unduly lenient," said Mr Justice Saini at Leicester Crown Court. Mr Belfield, on 5 August 2022, following a 5 week trial here at Nottingham Crown Court the jury convicted you on 4 counts. Most of it had been withdrawn by Belfield by the time GoFundMe got around to banning him for inappropriate off-platform behaviour, with the exception of 5,260, which was refunded to donors. Ex-BBC presenter Alex Belfield's campaign of harassment had left Northampton's Bernie Keith just seconds away from suicide. Published: 11:08 EST, 21 July 2022 | Updated: 11:22 EST, 21 July 2022. y the time Belfield began tormenting Dehany in 2020 he had become a successful YouTuber who could have been earning up to 528,000 a year, according to Social Blade, a website that monitors social media channels. Apparently jealous that Keith's BBC career carried on while his own was . Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims. Alex Belfield repeatedly posted abusive social media messages after his BBC contract wasn't renewed (Picture: PA) . Required fields are marked *. The prosecution said the YouTuber's stalking was more akin to 'internet trolling' than physical stalking, sending emails, tweets or making videos and subjecting victims to harassment and abuse - some of them over the course of many years. YouTuber Alex Belfield is planning to appeal against his prison sentence for stalking four men online. Bernie Keith, who presents mid-morning shows and a weekly rock'n'roll programme on BBC Radio Northampton, said former BBC Radio Leeds DJ Alex Belfield had subjected him to "naked" hatred . The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. UPDATE. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. Green still works for the BBC but is trying to negotiate a settlement to leave. He will be even more unbearable, she said in an Instagram video, with a twinkle in her eye that suggested she can hardly wait. Mr Spedding, the trial heard, was left feeling suicidal by a "tsunami of hate" from Belfield. Alex Belfield was convicted of four charges following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court, Belfield was found guilty of "simple" stalking in relation to BBC presenter Jeremy Vine, Belfield was previously a presenter at BBC Radio Leeds, Belfield made videos throughout his trial and posted them on YouTube. Belfield, of Mapperley, Nottingham, denies causing serious alarm or distress to Channel 5 and BBC Radio 2 presenter Mr Vine, former BBC Radio Leeds mid-morning show host Stephanie Hirst, Mr Keith and five other people. He warned Belfield he needed to be "extra careful about your online communications" as he adjourned the case. Each of them suffered a campaign of harassment by email and social media communications. Jeremy Vine suffered 'Olympic level stalking' by presenter, court hears, Alex Belfield claimed radio station had 'refused' to mention Manchester terrorist attack, Stalker Alex Belfield has shelled out '300,000 already' on his legal case, YouTube still hosts convicted stalker Alex Belfield's videos, Ex-BBC DJ Alex Belfield accused of stalking tells jury he is the victim of a witch-hunt, Alex Belfield was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in behind bars. Despite later coming out as a member of the LGBT community when defending himself against allegations of homophobia in his trial, Belfield attempted to project an image of rampant heterosexuality for much of his life, with frequent references to breasticles and the current or future Mrs Belfield. Mr Vine faced a torrent of abuse online, including thousands of social media messages from Belfields followers and personal threats. "This was the darkest point of my life because there was no end to it. But the judge made further orders protecting the individuals in the stalking charges where Belfield was acquitted - in favour of Rozina Breen, Helen Thomas, Liz Green and Stephanie Hirst under section 5A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. Start the ball rolling by posting a comment on this article! . Mr Justice Saini said Belfield's campaign of harassment had left Mr Keith just seconds away from dying by suicide. The BBC turned a blind eye to the abuse, says Green: We were not heard. Prosecutors allege that Belfield, who hosts a radio channel on YouTube, waged a relentless nine-year campaign of stalking against eight victims, including ex-colleagues, after BBC Radio Leeds did not renew his contract in 2011. Toggle primary navigation. Also speaking during the trial, describing watching Belfields video output as like swimming in sewage, Mr Vine said: It felt like I had a fish hook in my face and my flesh was being torn, and the only way to avoid further pain was to stay completely still.. All of the people who liked and re-tweeted Hewis libel will be called as witnesses. Each of them suffered serious mental health problems arising from Mr Belfield's conduct.". Neither had ever met him. The judge told Belfield he will serve up to half of his sentence in prison and the remainder on licence. A "cruel" former BBC local radio presenter who stalked broadcasters including TV's Jeremy Vine and BBC Northampton 's Bernie Keith has been jailed for more than five years. The application is being followed-up in its original format, including victims from his trial, and with two more people added - who were not involved in his trial. He loved and hated showbusiness, and if he couldnt be you, hed have you, and be part of you, another way. MP seeks inquiry over BBC staff harassed online, Harassed women accuse BBC of failing to help them, The stalker who reported on his own trial, My jailed stalker says he'll be back - Jeremy Vine, Former BBC presenter found guilty of stalking, Alleged stalker 'is victim of BBC witch-hunt', Jeremy Vine tells trial of 'avalanche of hatred', BBC boss 'terrified by radio host's stalking', Ex-BBC presenter 'stalked fellow broadcasters', Police appeal after stolen tools recovered, Jacksdale ferret rescue plans much-needed fundraiser, Plans for fast food outlets and a bar outside Motorpoint Arena, Huge solar farm near Gotham and East Leake recommended for approval, Community clean-up aims to improve feeling of safety in Warsop, Hucknall bus window smashed by yob with a brick, Street fighting in Bakhmut but Russia not in control, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims. A former BBC radio presenter found guilty of stalking four people including broadcaster Jeremy Vine has been jailed for five and a half years. She suffered years of what the judge described as transphobic and hateful comments motivated in part at least by feelings of jealousy as to her success when his own career within the BBC had foundered. "From his very first email and in the majority of communications thereafter, he used my wife and children as his main weapon to terrify, intimidate and blackmail me," he wrote. It sent this statement: Monetisation on the Voice of Reason channel remains suspended for violating our creator responsibility policy. The jurors accepted Belfield caused serious alarm or distress to two victims - the BBC Radio Northampton presenter Bernie Keith . 'This was the darkest point of my life because there was no end to it. Find Alex Belfield's email address, contact information, LinkedIn, Twitter, other social media and more. The court heard the original application was amended to add two more people who did not form part of the criminal trial. This apology does not make it OK. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. 2023 BBC. The post was shared shortly before 3pm on Friday, March 3, and has already had more than 200 responses. One day, Green says she found a talented young producer crying in the toilets after being shouted at by Belfield. Former BBC local radio DJ Alex Belfield has been found guilty of four . Ben Hewis is perverting the course of justice. Perhaps that independent review would expose those at the very top (men) who left us exposed. Alex Belfield was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in behind bars (Image: PA) A civil stalking order is being pursued at the magistrates' court against former BBC DJ Alex . Your email address will not be published. The judge said it was an aggravating factor that Belfield's harassment was public, as this caused his social media followers to also abuse Mr Spedding over a "lengthy period". Its not enough to leave us to sink and swim, as we had to in this case, Breen wrote in an email to Rhodri Talfan Davies, the BBCs director of nations. The judge said one of his victims came close to killing himself. Ex-BBC presenter guilty of stalking broadcasters including Jeremy Vine and Radio Northampton's Bernie Keith. Breen left this summer to become editor-in-chief at the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. ). His aim was, in his own words, to haunt his victims, and he deployed his army of followers to pile on with abusive messages to those targeted, said Mr Justice Saini. No more waking up in the middle of the night filled with dread about what he might have said about them to his then 373,000 YouTube subscribers or in bitter emails to their bosses or clients. Worse, in 2013, a few years into Belfields campaign against her and Breen, the BBCs HR team chose to launch an investigation not into their harassment, but into whether they were guilty of bullying Belfield. Keith Elliot Greenberg Interview The Day John Lennon Died, Keith Chegwin Exclusive 2015 Interview Celebrity Big Brother. Bernard Spedding - guilty (majority verdict), Philip Dehany - not guilty to the charge on the indictment but guilty of the alternative charge of "simple" stalking (majority verdict), Jeremy Vine - not guilty to the charge on the indictment but guilty of the alternative charge of "simple" stalking (unanimous verdict). Instead, he made YouTube videos about them, posted messages on social media, and sent emails either to them or about them. The judge told Belfield that while not traditional stalking, his methods were just as effective a way of intimidating victims and in many ways much harder to deal with. You have got these proclamations of hate coming out and that it will never end.'. "Bearing in mind the need for an overall proportionate sentence and the principle of totality, I am not satisfied that my final overall sentence of five years and 26 weeks would have been substantially higher had I been made aware of the correct legal position on count 5 [the charge relating to Bernie Keith].". I live in fear and I have done for a long time, she says.