Stalker, 69, who sent cards threatening rape to BBC presenter jailed
Stalker, 69, who sent a barrage of ‘disgusting and frightening’ greetings cards threatening to rape a BBC regional news presenter is jailed for two years and six months
- Gordon Hawthorn bombarded Alex Lovell with dozens of sick greeting cards
- Said New Year’s resolution was to have sex with her – with or without consent
- He admitted to one charge of stalking involving serious alarm or distress
Gordon Hawthorn, 69, (seen in an undated police mug shot) has been jailed for two years and six months for sending sick greeting cards to a BBC presenter
A stalker who bombarded a BBC regional news presenter with dozens of ‘grossly violent and offensive’ greetings cards has been jailed for two years and six months.
Gordon Hawthorn, 69, admitted stalking Alex Lovell by sending 38 cards to her at BBC Points West in Bristol over a two-year period.
The cards, often featuring animals on the front, included threats to rape the presenter and claims he had attacked five other women.
They were signed with a distinctive set of five crosses and initially the name ‘Gordon’, with Hawthorn ending them with ‘your stalker’ or ‘your soon to be rapist’ as they became more sinister.
Ms Lovell contacted Avon and Somerset Police after receiving a card in which Hawthorn stated his New Year’s resolution was to have sex with her, with or without her consent.
Hawthorn was identified after another woman, who had received a Valentine’s Day card at her workplace, recognised his handwriting on a police appeal.
His defence lawyer said he was venting his frustration after 34 years in a sexless relationship.
Judge Martin Picton jailed Hawthorn for two years and six months and imposed an indefinite restraining order, banning him from contacting Ms Lovell or going to the BBC’s regional centre on Whiteladies Road in Bristol.
‘People in the public eye are entitled to the same respect and privacy as everyone else in society,’ the judge told Hawthorn.
‘The fact that someone has a high profile does not mean that it can be open season for people such as yourself.
‘You need to understand, as does the public in general, that serious consequences result from appalling behaviour of that kind that features in this case.’
Bristol Crown Court heard Hawthorn, of Street, Somerset, bombarded Alex Lovell (pictured on November 29 last year) with dozens of greetings cards – signed with a distinctive set of Xs – from 2012
One of the cards, sent on Valentine’s Day on an unknown year, said ‘your secret admirer has now become your stalker’
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Judge Picton said the cards made Ms Lovell feel ‘disgusted, frightened and miserable’.
The court heard Hawthorn began sending cards to Ms Lovell at the BBC in November 2012, often on occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Easter and her birthday.
How stalker laughed after admitting his obsession to police
Gordon Hawthorn admitted he was ‘obsessed’ with news presenter Alex Lovell during an interview with police.
Avon and Somerset Police released audio recordings in which the stalker said he was ‘disgusted’ with his actions but laughed after saying he would have carried on had he not been caught.
Asked why the language he used in his cards got darker over time, Hawthorn said: ‘I don’t really know, its just the way it sort of progresses.
‘I said such and such last time, what can I say next time to maybe make it a bit more…? That’s it really.’
He said he was aware the cards would upset Ms Lovell but added: ‘The thing about stalking … I never followed her at all.’
Asked how he felt after being caught, Hawthorn said: ‘Disgusted with what I’ve done. Like I say it’s really an obsession and pure fantasy on my part.’
Hawthorn also admitted he would have carried on sending rape threats to the presenter had he not been arrested by police, saying: ‘I would have sent her a birthday card at the end of this month (laughs). I probably would. Like I said I got an obsession for her but a harmless obsession. Not harmless but there’s no way I would do anything.’
When police examined Hawthorn’s computer, they found he had conducted research on the presenter to establish details including her date of birth.
Prosecuting, Nikki Coombe said the cards described what Ms Lovell had been wearing on television became more ‘graphic and distressing’.
Ms Lovell reported the cards to the BBC and police became involved following one card on January 12 in 2016.
This read: ‘Make no mistake Alex that I am going to have sex with you this year, even if it means I have to rape you.’
The presenter later told police that reading his explicit threat ’caused her blood to run cold’, Mrs Coombe said.
Hawthorn’s cards went on to describe how he was following her in the street, had been close enough to smell her hair, knew what she was wearing and threatened to come to her home.
‘Mr Hawthorn also said in one of these cards that he had previously sexually assaulted other women and threatened to do that to Ms Lovell, essentially adding her to the list of six other women,’ Mrs Coombe said.
‘There’s no evidence that he has carried out anything like that in the past.’
In March 2018, police published images of Hawthorn’s cards and appealed for information about the sender.
Jessica Harding, who had worked in a pub where Hawthorn drank, came forward to say she had received a Valentine’s Day card that matched those sent to Ms Lovell.
Officers attended the pub in Street, Somerset and arrested Hawthorn. In a police interview, Hawthorn said he never intended to harm Ms Lovell and described his threats as a ‘fantasy’.
‘He also sent Ms Lovell an apology card after the media appeal, describing himself as a stupid old fool, saying he wasn’t a threat to her and promising not to contact her again,’ Mrs Coombe said.
In another card, the date of which is also not known, Hawthorn described himself as ‘your rapist’
Another card, in which the stalker signed off with ‘lots of love and birthday kisses, Gordon’
One of the letters Hawthorn sent showed two owls snuggling up to each other on a branch
In a victim personal statement, Ms Lovell said she had been looking over her shoulder wondering if her stalker was nearby every day since receiving the first threat.
Security measures were increased at the BBC and at the home she shares with her husband.
Hawthorn arrives at Bristol Crown Court for sentencing today
Representing Hawthorn, Catherine Spedding said her client was remorseful and had been in a relationship with his 74-year-old partner for 34 years.
Speaking after the case, Ms Lovell appealed for victims of stalking to ‘tell someone who can help’.
‘The nightmare is finally over and I’d once again like to thank my friends and family, BBC colleagues and police for all their help and support,’ she said.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Brickwood, of Avon and Somerset Police, paid tribute to Ms Lovell’s bravery in speaking out.
He said Hawthorn was now ‘paying the price for his cruel campaign of harassment’ against the presenter.
‘This case highlights the fact that stalking doesn’t have to be physically watching or following someone,’ the detective said.
‘It can take the form of social media, texting, calling, being sent unwanted gifts, or in Alex’s case being sent cards or letters.’
Ms Lovell hosted Brainteaser on Channel Five in 2002 after working on a live shopping channel.
She has been presenting on BBC Points West since 2005.
Several other cards included illustrations of other animals, such as a cat (left) and a hare (right)
The cards were signed with a distinctive set of five crosses and initially the name ‘Gordon’, with Hawthorn ending them with ‘your stalker’ or ‘your soon to be rapist’ as they became more sinister
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