Nicola Roberts’ ex-boyfriend repeatedly threatened to stab and burn her over the course of five years.
Carl Davies, who is a former soldier, stalked the Girls Aloud star by sending her approximately 3,000 messages using 35 fake Twitter and Instagram accounts.
The 39-year-old declared his love for the flame-haired star, but also threatened her with violence – using knife and fire emojis, a court heard.
Nicola eventually went to the police when Carl started messaging her friend, R&B singer Joel Compass, writing, “I’ll burn you once I finish with your face and body.”
Scary: Nicola broke up with Carl back in 2008 | Will Alexander/WENN.com
Nicola dated Carl back in 2008, but dumped him after a few months together.
Four years later, Carl started furiously messaging the singer and sending her flowers. Although Nicola never replied to any of his messages, she made sure to take screenshots of each message over the course of five years.
According to The Sun, Prosecutor Lee Harris said, “The messages ranged from loving, ‘I love you’, ‘I want to be with you’ type of messages, to violent and threatening types of messages. There’s the use of knife emojis, threats of burning.”
“Why was he behaving like he was still in a relationship? Much of the tone of the messages was that they were still in a relationship, though that wasn’t the case. She was concerned about what would happen.”
Terrified: Nicola’s ex threatened to knife and burn her in threatening messages | WENN.com
The prosecutor also said that Carl sent Nicola’s friend Joel 36 messages, and one included a dagger emoji and the words, “I hope you appreciate your girlfriend while it lasts.”
Carl was arrested in February and remanded in custody.
Nicola said in a court statement, “The messages he sent reminded me of all the terrible things that happened when we were together. It was like walking on eggshells and the constant messaging was bringing all those feelings back.
“It was only really last year when he started threatening my friend that I realised things couldn’t go on and reported it to the police.
Justice: Nicola’s stalker has been ordered to stay away from her and her family | VIPIRELAND.COM
“I feel safe in my own home knowing he can’t get to me. I am worried for when Carl gets out and when he has access again to a mobile phone,” she explained.
Guildford crown court heard that Carl suffered post-traumatic stress disorder after leaving the British Army, and he admitted one count of stalking and one of harassment using social media.
Carl walked away with a suspended 15-month jail sentence and a lifetime restraining order not to contact Nicola, Joel or go within 250 metres of either of them or her family.
The stalker must also complete 150 hours of unpaid work and 60 days of rehab.
