Man who stalked radio DJ avoids prison

Katrina Ridley was previously a presenter on BBC Three Counties Radio

A stalker from Surrey who left a radio DJ feeling "unsafe and paranoid" by repeatedly sending her letters, emails and gifts has been spared prison.

Keaton Adams, from Englefield Green, even went to the Heart radio studio in Leicester Square, London, in January this year asking to see presenter Katrina Ridley.

Westminster Magistrates' Court heard on Tuesday that Adams, 51, persistently tried to contact Ms Ridley between 1 November and 20 February, claiming he was in a relationship with her.

He pleaded guilty to one count of stalking involving serious alarm or distress and was given a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

In December, 60 messages, some of which were "delusional in nature", were sent in just three hours, prosecutors said.

One message sent to the radio station read: "I'm going to say goodnight now baby girl…I love you always."

Adams also contacted Ms Ridley on her personal email, wrote about her having "spyware" at his home and said they were going to get married in Australia.

In December 2024, he sent coffee mugs to the studio with "I will always love you" printed on them.

Ms Ridley said in her victim impact statement that the stalking had "a huge impact" on her life, leaving her feeling "unsafe and paranoid" and unable to use public transport.

A restraining order has been put in place, banning Adams from contacting Ms Ridley or her colleagues and from visiting Leicester Square.

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.