Man jailed for stalking presenter

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A man who harassed a TV presenter has been jailed for six months.

William Carter, 32, from Kidderminster, approached Sarah Jane Mee three times in Birmingham, his trial at the city's magistrates court heard last month.

On one occasion Carter, who is deaf and communicates through sign language, hit ITV Central and Heart FM presenter Miss Mee, 28, on the back of the head.

Sentencing him for harassment, District Judge Michael Morris told Carter he had a "morbid fascination" with Miss Mee.

Restraining order

Carter, of Walter Nash Road East was found guilty of harassment on 11 June after the court heard how he approached the presenter in Birmingham city centre last autumn.

Carter claimed at his trial that Miss Mee mouthed rude and offensive words about him during her broadcasts.

You subjected Miss Mee to the worry of attending court and being falsely accused Judge Michael Morris

Passing sentence, the judge said there was "not a shred of evidence" to support Carter's claim.

He added: "You clearly have a morbid fascination and fixation with female news and television presenters.

"You subjected Miss Mee to the worry of attending court and being falsely accused as part of your defence."

Judge Morris also imposed a 10-year restraining order preventing Carter from approaching Miss Mee, the ITV Central studios and the studios of Heart FM.

A second three-year restraining order was imposed to stop Carter harassing staff at the Starbucks coffee shop on New Street in Birmingham.

Carter also pleaded guilty to three charges of theft and was sentenced to three months in jail, to be served concurrently with his harassment sentence.