Ex-Olympian Strictly star forced to flee home after obsessed schoolgirl stalker showed up at front door
AN EX-OLYMPIC gymnast and Strictly star was forced to flee her home after she was stalked by an obsessed teenager.
Claudia Fragapane’s life was turned “upside down” after she was harassed by the 15-year-old girl, Bristol magistrates heard.
The 4ft7in gymnast managed to take a picture of the teen when she knocked at her door having done “detective work” to track down her address.
Claudia, who reached the semi-finals of Strictly Come Dancing in 2016 with AJ Pritchard, previously gave a victim statement describing the “fear and anxiety” caused by the stalker.
The court heard that the defendant, who cannot be named due to her age, attempted to contact Claudia on May 5 and breached an existing restraining order imposed last month.
District Judge Lynne Matthews said: “Claudia has no idea how [the defendant] found her.
“She left her own home because of her actions. She’s turned Claudia’s life upside down.”
Claudia, who won a record equalling four gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and was named Young Sports Personality of the Year, was not in court.
The court heard the defendant was currently out of school awaiting placement.
She was given an 18-month rehabilitation order, with 18 months supervision and a residence requirement to stay with her father, as well as a restraining order to keep away from Claudia at her current address or anywhere else.
The judge added it was the “last straw” or the defendant would be looking at detention as she had to think about Claudia’s safety.
She said: “I’d really like it if this was the last time you see me. Stay away from her [Claudia].”