Although Jade Thirlwall and her bandmates of Little Mix love their fans and would do anything for them, sometimes things are taken too far. Last month, a fan was sent to court after allegations of stalking Thirlwall in her hometown of South Shields, South Tyneside.
The wild story began on December 10 of last year when Jade’s flatmate received an email from a man asking Thirlwall to contact him on a mobile number. ‘The email contained personal information, but at this point nothing much was thought about it,” Clare Irving, Jade’s prosecuting attorney, states.
“On December 23, Jade Thirlwall was made aware by an email which had been sent by the defendant requesting a meeting with Jade and continuing further personal information. At this point, Jade felt nervous.”
The man by the name of Nabeel Waseem then went to Thirlwall’s grandmothers house in January to tell the star that she deserved better management than Simon Cowell. Waseem was arrested in January and sent to court yesterday at South Tyneside Magistrate’s Court.
At the time of arrest, Waseem was instructed with a warning that any contact with the popstar would have to be through her record label, Syco Entertainment. Waseem later contacted Syco with claims that he was ‘dying of epilepsy,’ had spent thousands on tickets and albums and wanted to work for the company at no payment. The police were further alarmed by these claims and decided on a quick trial.
Irving states: “She felt nervous, unsettled, scared for her own safety and that of her family. She felt harassed and in fear of physical violence.”
Irving also commented that Jade Thirlwall had posted on Instagram on January 13, the night of the incident, that she was “having a sleepover at nana’s.”
Before Thirlwall had arrived, her cousin phoned her to say a fan turned up asking to see her, which made the singer feel “physically sick.”
Although Waseem accepted the restraining order, he denied stalking, leading to withdrawal of the charges.
Waseem’s defense, Geoffrey Forrester, said he was motivated by the belief that Little Mix deserved better than Simon Cowell.
Forrester notes, “He cannot plead guilty because he doesn’t accept that he has done anything wrong. His motives were entirely well-intended. He wishes nothing but the very best for the group.” He also claims that his client has never been in the same town, much less in sight, of the singer.
Waseem told the court that if they asked the 10 million Little Mix fans worldwide, all would vote for the band to leave Syco.
“I was only trying to be the middle-man, trying to convey that message,” he testified.
John Lee, Chairman of the Bench, made restraining orders which prevents Waseem from ‘contacting Jade, posting on social media about her, researching or having someone research “private facts” of her, approaching her, or entering South Shields or an event where she was to appear.’
Lee’s final comments to the court stated, “I think your affection for Jade Thirlwall has probably run its course. What this is telling you is to stay away from her.”
Waseem was let off with the restraining order but strictly told that he would be convicted if he broke the terms.
Do you think that the charges were harsh enough/too harsh? When do you think fans cross the line? Chat with us on Twitter @CelebMix.