Son-in-law waged 2-year hate campaign

Bobby Ball’s former son-in-law has been jailed for nine months for waging a vicious hate campaign against him.

The comedian, who suffered two-and-a-half years of torment at the hands of Kenneth O'Sullivan, said: ‘We got justice.’

O'Sullivan, a 38-year-old builder from Rochdale, was also given a restraining order banning him from going anywhere near Ball's family or face another five years in jail.

Preston Crown Court heard how he smashed windows, bombarded Ball and with ‘highly unpleasant’ phone calls and threatened to ‘destroy’ the comic by revealing personal information to the press.

Ball, 62, had to have CCTV and panic alarms fitted at his home in Lytham St Anne’s, Lancashire, during the bullying campaign.

After the verdict, the comic told the Blackpool Gazette: ‘It's an absolute sense of relief. It feels marvellous now that we can put this behind us. It's all over. I'm free

‘We have just got to get on with our lives now. But part of me feels sorry for the poor lad.’

O'Sullivan was married to Ball's daughter Joanne for 12 years but they broke up in 2001. She later moved back in with her parents, which is when the harassment began.

O'Sullivan blamed Ball, whose real name is Robert Harper, for not allowing him access to their three children.

He has 30 previous convictions for crimes including burglary, dishonesty and handling stolen goods.

Published: 9 Jan 2007