Strictly judge Shirley Ballas’ terror as man charged with stalking her for more than six years

STRICTLY judge Shirley Ballas suffered “persistent serious alarm or distress” during a six-year stalking ordeal, a court has heard.

Kyle Shaw, 37, was accused of sending messages to 64-year-old Shirley from 2017 to 2023.

Last week he appeared at South Sefton magistrates’ court in Bootle, Merseyside, charged with stalking and a separate charge of possessing cannabis.

The charge stated that at an address in Birkenhead, Shaw ‘‘pursued a course of conduct, namely sending messages online, which amounted to stalking causing Shirley Ballas serious alarm or distress”.

It added this “had a substantial adverse effect on her usual day-to-day activities”.

The case comes five months after Shirley said she called in police over a man seen taking pictures of her house and car.

She said he also “lunged” at her, and investigating officers had since confiscated his phone and computer.

Shirley added: ‘‘I like to be kind of like a free bird, but we’re coming into times now where you have to be more ­vigilant of yourself.

“You’re upping your level of alarms. And I always tell my mum, ‘I’m here, I’ve arrived’. I wouldn’t bother normally but it’s become a thing that we do.

‘‘I always like to say, ‘I’m safe, I’m in the right place, I’m where I should be.’

“Thankfully the BBC’s duty of care towards me has been one thousand per cent. They have been fantastic.”

“So, in some of these instances, when it was difficult — this stalker came from the North of England — I had somebody walking me from the hotel. They checked in on me to make sure that I was OK. I just felt very well protected.”

It is not known whether that investigation is linked to Shaw, who suffers from mental health issues and is expected to claim he is not fit enter a plea.

He made no pleas in court, while his address was given as a YMCA in Birkenhead.

Prosecutor Angela Conlan said that he was responsible for “persistent actions over a prolonged period spanning from 2017 to 2023”.

She went on: “It is Category 2 harm — some distress caused, changes to lifestyle to avoid contact.”

Shaw was represented by solicitor Sarah Ferguson, who said: “There are significant issues that need explanation at this particular time. I’m not comfortable taking instructions. It is a fitness to plead issue.

“He is under the care of the Wirral mental health.”

District Judge Wendy Lloyd said: “On the face of it, it is simple enough to be dealt with here, but that needs consent.”

Shaw was bailed to appear at Liverpool crown court on January 31.

Conditions included “not to contact or approach Shirley Ballas or by any means including social media”.

He is also not allowed to enter London