Harry Styles stalker: Homeless man told to keep away from star
- Published
A homeless man convicted of stalking Harry Styles after camping outside his house has been banned from going within 250m of the singer.
Styles said he was left feeling "scared" and "very uncomfortable" by Pablo Tarazaga-Orero, 26, who posted notes and money through his letter box.
Tarazaga-Orero denied the charge, previously telling Hendon Magistrates' Court the star had propositioned him.
He was barred from going near the singer, his home or business address.
The Spanish national was also banned from posting about the former One Direction star on social media, made the subject of a 12-month community order and told to complete a 30-day rehabilitation requirement.
"You should be aware that failing to comply with a community order is a criminal offence and carries a maximum five-year prison sentence," District Judge Nigel Dean told him.
Prosecutor Katy Weiss told the court she had spoken to 25-year-old Styles on Sunday and he was "adamant he wants [the defendant] to get help, although he doesn't want to see him again."
During the trial, the singer and actor said he had offered Tarazaga-Orero money for food or a hotel after noticing him sleeping rough near his north London home.
"I thought it was sad that someone so young was sleeping rough at a bus stop when it was cold," he said.
Styles bought him food the following day but then stopped interacting with the defendant on the advice of his security staff because of his "odd" behaviour which made him feel "a little uneasy".
Despite cutting contact, Styles said he would see Tarazaga-Orero "incredibly often... almost every day", and he was followed by the defendant who also posted money through his door.
The 25-year-old said he was still affected by his actions so had "employed a night guard" and continued "to lock my bedroom door at night".
The defendant told the court he chose to sleep in the neighbourhood as it felt safer than central London and he never intended to stalk the singer, but "just wanted the money he offered me".
He also said Styles propositioned him and claimed he was told: "'Let's come to a hotel, let's have some fun', or something like that".
- Published14 October 2019