‘Obsessive’ stalker, 41, who made Billie Piper feel unsafe still poses a ‘risk’ to star

‘Obsessive’ stalker, 41, who made Billie Piper feel unsafe in her own home still poses a ‘risk’ to Doctor Who star after missing court-ordered therapy sessions

  • Actress stalked by Philip Jerome of Eastleigh in Hampshire for almost 10 years
  • Stalker had large collection of newspaper cuttings and pictures of Piper at home 
  • He sent Facebook message to relatives and turned up at her home with a letter 
  • Jerome admitted one count of harassment by breaching a restraining order 
  • But he was back at court after failing to turn up for 2 stalker counselling sessions 

A stalker who left Billie Piper scared to be in her own home after a decade of unwanted attention is still a ‘risk’ to the actress because he missed therapy designed to stop him ‘obsessing’ over the star, a court heard today.

Philip Jerome, 41, from Hampshire, was given a restraining order this year after he turned up at her home with a letter declaring his ‘adoration’ for Ms Piper. 

Today, he again appeared before a Southampton court, having failed to turn up for ‘important’ meetings with a psychologist to deal with his stalking behaviour claiming  he twice overslept.

The defendant, who was representing himself, told the court: ‘I was tired, I should have set an alarm to wake me up in time but I didn’t. When I did wake up, it was too late. It does not excuse it.’ 

The court had previously heard Jerome held a ‘degree of unrealism’ in his adoration of new mum Piper, who gave birth to third child Tallulah earlier this year.

He has bombarded her with messages on Twitter for almost a decade.

Philip Jerome has bombarded  Billie Piper with messages on Twitter for almost a decade

Philip Jerome, 41, (pictured in February) was given a restraining order after he turned up at Billie Piper’s home with a letter for her declaring his ‘adoration’ for the star (right in May) – but has not been turning up for counselling to tackle is obsession, Southampton Crown Court heard

A judge was told probation officials have declared this a ‘high profile case’ and are still concerned about the ‘risk he presents’ as a number of issues have been identified by a psychologist. 

In a statement, read out at an earlier hearing, Piper said: ‘I do not feel safe being at home. I do not believe he would show up and hurt me, however I don’t know that for sure.’

Jerome was back in court to be reminded reminded just 'how serious' it is for him to attend meetings with the psychologist

Jerome was back in court to be reminded reminded just ‘how serious’ it is for him to attend meetings with the psychologist

Today, a probation official told magistrates Jerome needed to be reminded just ‘how serious’ it is for him to attend meetings with the psychologist.

She said: ‘On July 2, he was given an appointment with a clinical psychologist. He failed to attend.

‘The key point really is that it is necessary for him to engage in the work that was outlined by the psychologist.

‘He has a very robust probation supervisor because there’s a concern about the risk he presents. This is a high profile case, so we would not have accepted non-attendance.

‘The probation service are concerned about reminding Mr Jerome how serious he needs to be taking this order.’

It has been heard Jerome had a large collection of newspaper cuttings and pictures of Piper at his home in Eastleigh, which was found by police when he was arrested earlier this year.

Prosecutor Graham Heath told the court in February the defendant had researched and found Piper’s sister Harley and mother Mandy Kent on Facebook before sending them a message.

Mr Heath said: ‘It was a long message, which runs to some 18 pages. There’s nothing menacing in the letter, I suppose it might well be treated as adoration in other circumstances.

‘He clearly refers to meeting with her at a book signing over a decade ago and there’s some long-standing attraction.

‘There’s some degree of unrealism in relation to the circumstances. He clearly thinks there’s a relationship between them.’

Jerome today admitted failing to attend two appointments with probation, and was ordered to complete a further five rehabilitation days by magistrate Andrew Cawthron. 

Magistrate Mr Cawthron told him: ‘I just need to stress to you the importance of meeting the requirements of the order.

‘If you come before the court again, the recommendations of probation or the decision taken by the court may be significantly different.’

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk