Denise Welch reveals stalker can be launched from jail early
Denise Welch has revealed that her stalker who set fire to her house will be freed from jail early.
The Loose Women star shared the news as the panellists were discussing the furore over Keir Starmer’s early release scheme.
Prisoners are being released after serving 40 per cent of their sentence rather than 50 per cent as before in a bid to free up jails.
However, Denise’s stalker is not thought to be part of the controversial scheme, since stalkers are exempt.
Toraq Wyngard, 56, was convicted in September 2021 of stalking causing serious alarm or distress to the actress between September 18, 2020, and February 11, 2021.
He was jailed for seven years and seven months after stalking Denise and starting the blaze on her property which which spread to her garage, causing £4,285 of damage.
Denise Welch has revealed that her stalker who set fire to her house will be freed from jail early
Denis Welch’s stalker Toraq Wyngard pictured arriving at Chester courts
Speaking on ITV, Ms Welch said: ‘I myself have a stalker who is in prison and is being released early.
‘I am not allowed to see any of his mental health reports as regards to the progress of his mental health.
‘When I asked “will he be tagged?” they said “Well, that depends if his team decides if that’s encroaching on his human rights.”
‘So this is what we’re dealing with in this country and I’m glad we’re talking about it.
‘I feel really sorry for anyone who is now living in fear because of these releases.’
More than 1,600 inmates were released from prison yesterday due to Labour’s scheme, which is designed to free up space in Britain’s overcrowded jails.
People were shocked at the scenes outside prisons as inmates were seen celebrating and popping champagne.
Thousands more are set to be freed over the coming 18 months.
The Loose Women star shared the news during a discussion on the show about the Government’s scheme to release prisoners early
Critics of the policy have argued it is only a matter of time before some of the prisoners re-offend.
Stalkers are one of several criminals who are exempt from the early release scheme.
Other crimes exempted from the programme are those convicted of controlling or coercive behaviors in an intimate or family relationship, non-fatal strangulation and suffocation and those who are in breach of a restraining order, non-molestation order and domestic abuse protection order.
The Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Baroness Newlove, said: ‘The justice system faces immense pressure, demanding difficult choices. Yet, victim safety must never be compromised.
‘Recognising this, the decision to exclude domestic abusers and stalkers from benefiting from an early release date is a welcome and necessary step, reflecting the concerns raised by victims and those who advocate for them.
‘Public safety must remain the top priority as these changes are implemented. We must acknowledge these exclusions have limitations and cannot address every potential risk.’
Denise had to move house after she was targeted by her stalker who started a fire in a skip on her driveway.
The actress was home at the time of the incident but a passer-by alerted her, enabling her to escape.
The former Coronation Street star, 65, confirmed she and her husband Lincoln Townley, 51, had moved out the home.
Chester Crown Court previously heard how stalker Toraq plagued Denise by turning up at the £800,000 Cheshire property and left unwanted messages.
Denise and her husband Lincoln are seen at Chester courts on October 26, 2021
Toraq Wyngard, 56, was convicted in September 2021 of stalking causing serious alarm or distress to the actress between September 18, 2020, and February 11, 2021
When police arrived on September 19, 2020, following the blaze, they found Wyngard, of Salford, near the address carrying a knife in his backpack.
Gareth Bellis, prosecuting, told the court that the fire service had attended the property on the night of the blaze after the couple had been alerted by a member of the public ringing their doorbell.
The fire – believed to have been started using an accelerant – was soon extinguished but there had been a risk of the fire spreading and ‘creating a large amount of toxic smoke’ and causing ‘serious injury or death’.
He returned to Denise’s home the following February and damaged a garden gate and daubed it in graffiti – writing in marker pen the words ‘witch’ and ‘pimp’ and an upside-down cross.
It was to be the start of a ‘horrible time’ for Denise and her husband, who were relieved when Wyngard was finally apprehended by police.
During police interviews, Wyngard – who has a history of mental illness including bipolar disorder – denied being involved and answered no comment to questions.
But he admitted a charge of stalking the ex-Hollyoaks actress and causing serious alarm or distress between September 18, 2020 and February 1, 2021 and a hearing in September.
He also admitted charges of arson, possession of a bladed article, and criminal damage.
But on the day he was due to be sentenced on October 26, 2021, he indicated he wanted to change his plea – leading to a further delay.
At the time, Judge Michael Leeming apologised to Denise and her husband as they had attended court expecting to see Wyngard sentenced.
Wyngard failed in his application to overturn his guilty plea and was later sentenced.
Television personality Denise has previously spoken of the heavy toll Wyngard’s harassment has had on her family.
‘This has been an incredibly terrifying and stressful time for me and our family,’ she said.
‘We are grateful to the fire service for their prompt action saving our house and to the police for their amazing vigilance and support.
‘Special thanks go to the harm reduction unit assigned to us who have guided us through this horrible time every step of the way.’
