Cheryl ‘feared for Bear’s safety’ when convicted killer turned up at home 3 weeks after Liam Payne’s funeral
CHERYL Tweedy feared for her son’s safety when a convicted killer stalker showed up at her home just weeks after Liam Payne’s funeral.
Daniel Bannister, who previously killed a man in an attack at a homeless hostel, launched a terrifying campaign against the singer.
The Sun revealed how the 50-year-old went to Cheryl’s country mansion in Buckinghamshire, which she shares with her seven-year-old son Bear.
Bannister caused the Girls Aloud star “serious alarm” by “displaying fixated, obsessive, unwanted and repetitive behaviour”.
He has today been jailed for 16 weeks at Wycombe Magistrates’ Court for breaching a restraining order.
In a statement after Bannister showed up at her home in December, Cheryl told how she “immediately panicked” when she spotted him on a doorbell camera.
She added: “I feared for my safety immediately and I feared for my child’s safety.
“He was due back from the cinema and I didn’t want him to see Daniel.”
Cheryl said she was “concerned” he was trying to find a way into her property.
She said she rang a friend who was looking after Bear to tell them not to bring him back to the house.
The singer added: “I have a child to look after. I want to protect him from any harm.”
Cheryl said it was “even more alarming” that Bannister had returned to her house after already being punished for doing so previously.
Bannister was previously caged for 30 months for manslaughter after he attacked a man who died of his injuries in 2012.
Rajendra Patel, 48, died in hospital following the horror at a south London YMCA shelter.
The two men, who both lived at the shelter, were said to have an ongoing feud at the time of the attack.
Bannister was then sentenced to four months in September and slapped with a restraining order banning contact with Cheryl.
The stalker was also blocked from entering Buckinghamshire or attending her address.
But in December, Bannister went to Cheryl‘s home just three weeks after her One Direction ex Liam was laid to rest in an emotional service.
He was charged with breaching his restraining order by entering the county of Buckinghamshire on December 10.
Bannister was also accused of showing up at “an address where you knew or believed Cheryl Tweedy was present”, which is another separate breach.
And the stalker attempted to contact Cheryl either directly or indirectly, which he was prohibited from doing.
Bannister pleaded guilty to the three offences in December.
The stalker hell comes after Cheryl had to up her security when she was performing in 2:22 A Ghost Story on the West End last year.
Her team were said to be on “red alert” after she was left menacing messages with flowers outside the theatre.
Cheryl’s former partner Liam tragically died aged just 31 in Buenos Aires, Argentina after falling from his third floor hotel balcony.
At the time, the Girls Aloud star said in an emotional statement: “As I try to navigate this earth shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I’d like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being.
“Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7 year old son.
“A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.”
She added: “Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them.
“Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last.”
Speaking after Bannister was jailed today, Kathleen O’Callaghan of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “The unwanted attention of offenders like Daniel Bannister can leave victims feeling alarmed and fearful.
“Bannister plainly disregarded a previous restraining order, and the Crown Prosecution Service argued these deliberate breaches were made more serious by the fact that they were committed so shortly after the order was made.
“As a result, Bannister now faces a longer prison term with an indefinite restraining order placed on him.”