The British singer Cheryl Tweedy faced punishments of 16 weeks in jail when 50-year-old Daniel Bannister received his sentence for stalking her. Bannister violated his restraining order several times when he visited Tweedy's residence in Buckinghamshire which led to severe emotional distress for her.
The court reported that Bannister initiated his unwanted visits to Tweedy's house in January of 2024 when he deployed the intercom to say "I've come to get Cheryl." After this unwanted visit the performer experienced feelings of violation along with fear and unprotectedness. Bannister triggered increased anxiety for Tweedy when she came back to the house to ask for wine during July 2024. The restraining order did not stop Bannister from again visiting Tweedy's residence in December 2024 which resulted in instant panic from Tweedy as she worried about her eldest son Bear who was seven years old.
The defendant Bannister received a prison sentence for manslaughter in 2012 following his killing of a person at the YMCA shelter in south London. Legal restrictions failed to stop him from continuing his series of concerning law violations.
Judge Arvind Sharma acknowledged at Wycombe Magistrates' Court the massive distress that Bannister imposed on Tweedy while taking into account her increased anxiety because her son stayed while the events unfolded. ulares characterizing Bannister as "a serious musician" while his breaking of laws showed complete disregard for Tweedys protection.
This situation demonstrates how stalking affects victims to the extreme degree especially when stalkers have committed other violent crimes. Forbidding contact with victims becomes essential because enforcing restraining orders ensures their safety against harmful harassment.
The sentence has a dual purpose to prevent future crimes by warning potential offenders and to demonstrate judicial support for victim protection.