Stand-up tracked his partner's car

A stand-up working on the comedy circuit in Northern England has been revealed to have a conviction for stalking.

Two years ago, the comic was given a restraining order after he admitted he had put a tracking device in his victim’s car. He was also given a community order, with a 12-week overnight curfew enforced by an electronic tag.

UPDATE 9/4/24: As the stalking conviction is now considered spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders act, this story has today been edited to remove the man's name.

Bookers were made aware of his conviction this week when promoter Saul Henry raised it in an industry Facebook group.

Henry, who runs the Comedy Cellar at Verve in Leeds, said: ’As [the comic] is not declaring or being open about his unspent conviction when applying for spots, we felt it was appropriate to share the article [about his crime] with other bookers and promoters in a closed Facebook group.'

In a statement to Chortle, Henry said his club operates a zero-tolerance policy, adding: ‘Our stance is firmly against any behaviour that compromises the safety or comfort of our audience and fellow comedians. If ever there is a time for a zero-tolerance approach to come into place, surely it is when an act has an unspent conviction for a stalking offence.’

[The comic] admitted to this website there was ‘no justification or excuse’ for what he did, saying of the woman he targetted: ‘She is a victim.’

Explaining that she was his long-term partner at the time,  he insisted he posed no threat to those he worked with at comedy nights.

He said: ’I have served the restraining order, which is due to expire in March. I’ve undergone a 15-day rehabilitation course to learning how to better deal with conflicts in relationships and I have independently organised and received  18 months of counselling.’

[The comic] added that his ‘world fell apart’ after the conviction and collapse of his relationship, adding: ‘Comedy has helped me rebuild my life. It has been invaluable. It has taught me to question everything and as a result, have become more introspective and helped me grow as a person. Without it, I don't know where I'd be.

‘I’ve always acted professionally on the circuit, and I’m confident that if you asked female comics I’ve worked with I’m sure they’ll say I’ve been professional. I have been on the comedy circuit coming up to two years and have had no complaints about my conduct.’

[The comic] said some fellow comics knew about his conviction, but admits he never volunteered the information to bookers – nor was every asked if he had any criminal convictions. He said: ‘It’s something I am ashamed of. You don’t go around wearing your shame on your sleeve’

Of his past becoming public, he said: ’I’m not against people putting it out there. People are entitled to make their own decision about whether they book me. But context matters. When you hear "stalking" you think of predatory, obsessive behaviour towards strangers. That wasn’t the case here.’

The case may raise questions about how to balance safeguarding measures with the rehabilitation of offenders, but Henry was adamant he had taken the right stance in banning [the comic].

He said: ‘Stalking crimes create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation for victims, which no one should endure. The comedy community and broader night-time economy encompass various vulnerable groups, the protection of whom should be among our highest priorities.

‘Exclusion acts as a proactive measure toward safeguarding the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved in the community, including performers, staff, and the audience.’

Now the conviction is considered ‘spent’, the comic no longer has to declare to any possible employers after that, even if they ask. Although as a freelance contractor he would not have to disclose his record in any case.

Unlock, a group which helps people with criminal records move on positively in their lives, says: ‘If you have an unspent conviction, you have very little legal protection when applying for work. However, it is unlawful for an employer to subject you to any prejudice because of a conviction if it is spent.’

But they admit: ‘The potential for legal action if you are refused employment because of a spent conviction is  somewhat uncertain.’

Dame Vera Baird, the former Victim’s Commissioner for England and Wales, has said: ‘Stalking is a dangerous and insidious crime and the impact on the victim can be devastating. Yet all too often, victims are not receiving the criminal justice outcomes that might be expected.

According to the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, just one in 1,000 stalkers is convicted.

Published: 10 Jan 2024