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Actress Anna Friel tells court stalker left her feeling 'threatened and shocked'
Phil Appleton, 71, sent numerous messages and left unwanted gifts over nearly three years, leading to a 15-year restraining order and community supervision for stalking actress Anna Friel.
- Phil Appleton, aged 71, pleaded guilty to stalking actress Anna Friel and was sentenced at Reading Crown Court in 2025.
- Appleton began sending Friel regular messages in April 2022 and escalated his behaviour by frequently visiting her home and sending unwanted gifts.
- Notable incidents included Appleton attending Friel's home in a dinner jacket to invite her to a ball, mouthing 'I love you' to CCTV cameras, and leaving cigarette packets and a wooden ring.
- Judge Alan Blake issued a 15-year restraining order and a 24-month community order with 12 months of electronic monitoring, while Appleton's lawyer expressed his client's 'unreserved apology and shame'.
- Friel stated in court via victim statement that the stalking left her feeling 'threatened and shocked' and caused persistent fear for her safety and privacy.
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Total News Sources3
Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Center
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
67% Center
L 33%
C 67%
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