'Alarming' Joe Lycett stalker convicted

A man has been found guilty of stalking comedian Joe Lycett, after tagging him in a series of "distressing" social media posts and shouting outside his home.

Sam Egerton, 34, stood trial at Birmingham Magistrates court on Wednesday where he denied the charge.

The court heard that between 21 August and 6 January, Egerton had targeted Mr Lycett on X and said it was the comedian's responsibility to let him know he felt as though he was being stalked.

The defendant blamed his victim for not "dealing with me properly."

The pair had lived on the same street in Kings Heath in the city during the course of the harassment.

CCTV footage was shown of Egerton shouting in the street near Mr Lycett's home during one incident which resulted in neighbours calling the police.

He could be heard yelling "I hope to make your life a little more light-hearted tomorrow".

The defendant said he had been messaging the comedian to "reach out for help."

"He's got no reason to not send someone round to check that I'm OK.

"By not dealing with me properly he has caused these chains of events.

"I can tell he [Mr Lycett] is enjoying this, lapping it up with the attention from the public and media.

"It was his job as a man to tell me that the tweets were causing alarm and distress," he continued.

District Judge Tanweer Ikram said it was clear the defendant's behaviour had caused the comedian "concern for his own safety and wellbeing."

The court had previously heard Mr Lycett describe the social media posts as "alarming and distressing" but that he "bore no ill well" and hoped the defendant would get the help and support he needed.

The judge ordered a psychiatric assessment to be completed and that Egerton work with a probation officer ahead of his sentencing.

He was released on bail with conditions not to attend part of the road in which Mr Lycett lives and not to contact him.

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