Denise Welch shock – Judge apologises as ‘stalker’ she went to face in court forces case delay
A JUDGE today apologised to Denise Welch after a fan who allegedly carried out a "terrifying" five-month stalking ordeal forced a court delay.
Toraq Wyngard, 53, is accused of starting a fire at the £800,000 home the Loose Women presenter shares with husband Lincoln Townley as they slept.
The flames spread from a skip he set alight to garages attached to the property during the horror on September 19 last year, it was said.
When police arrived, they allegedly discovered Wyngard with a knife in his backpack.
The fan was due to be sentenced today at Chester Crown Court but indicated he intends change his plea.
Wyngard had admitted stalking the Hollyoaks actress and causing serious alarm or distress, between September 18 last year and February 11.
He also pleaded guilty to possession of a knife, criminal damage, and arson.
Welch was in court when the indication was made by his Wyngard's lawyer, Kay Driver QC.
Judge Michael Leeming: "I would like to apologise to the complainant who has been required to attend court, unnecessarily as it turns out.
“I hope the matter will be resolved one way or another sooner than later.";
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Wyngard was told by the judge such applications "rarely succeed".
The case was adjourned until November 16 for a hearing at Chester Crown Court.
The court was told Wyngard "repeatedly attended her house, set fire to a skip, sent her an unwanted note and wrote graffiti on her garden gate".
He also caused Denise "alarm and distress which affected her day to day activities" during the five-month ordeal, it is said.
Denise said previously: ""This has been an incredibly terrifying and stressful time for me and our family.
"We are grateful to the fire service for their prompt action saving our house and to the police for their amazing vigilance and support.
"Special thanks go to the Harm Reduction Unit assigned to us who have guided us through this horrible time every step of the way."
The Waterloo Road star previously revealed how was terrified when an alleged stalker showed up at her home while she was sleeping.
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And she slammed the government for not introducing a serial stalkers and domestic abusers register.
Talking in April, she said: “It was terrifying to know that somebody knew where you lived and was prepared to invade your space.”
