Man, 53, who admitted stalking Loose Women star Denise Welch will be sentenced today
Denise Welsh’s stalker is jailed for seven years and seven months for starting fire o her driveway that left TV star ‘terrified’
Toraq Wyngard, 53, set fire to the home of Denise Welch in Cheshire in 2020He was convicted of stalking causing serious alarm or distress over five monthsHe is also up for counts of arson, damaging property and possession of a knife Wyngard is due to be sentenced this week after a long series of adjournments
<!–
<!–
<!–<!–
<!–
(function (src, d, tag){
var s = d.createElement(tag), prev = d.getElementsByTagName(tag)[0];
s.src = src;
prev.parentNode.insertBefore(s, prev);
}(“https://www.dailymail.co.uk/static/gunther/1.17.0/async_bundle- -.js”, document, “script”));
<!–
DM.loadCSS(“https://www.dailymail.co.uk/static/gunther/gunther-2159/video_bundle- -.css”);
<!–
A man has been jailed for seven years and seven months after he carried out a ‘terrifying’ five-month stalking campaign against Denise Welch which included setting fire to her home.
Toraq Wyngard, 53, was convicted last September of stalking causing serious alarm or distress to the actress between September 18, 2020, and February 11 last year.
The former Coronation Street actress gave evidence over video-link from the US as Wyngard, 64, was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Thursday.
She said: ‘It has changed my life. I have a wonderful life and this man has permanently scarred it.’
Sentencing him today, Judge Michael Leeming said his actions had impacted the couple and caused them ‘alarm and distress’.
The judge also imposed a restraining order, preventing Wyngard from entering Wilmslow or approaching the couple or doing any research into their private lives.
Wyngard also admitted carrying a knife, which carries a maximum four year sentence, and criminal damage and arson, which can both bring up to 10 years depending on the severity of the offence.
Chester Crown Court previously heard how he plagued Ms Welch, 63, by turning up at the £800,000 Cheshire home she shares with husband Lincoln Towney and leaving unwanted messages.
Toraq Wyngard (pictured), 53, could face a lengthy jail sentence after he was convicted last September of stalking causing serious alarm or distress to the actress between September 18, 2020, and February 11 last year
Chester Crown Court previously heard how he plagued Ms Welch (pictured), 63, by turning up at the £800,000 Cheshire home she shares with husband Lincoln Towney and leaving unwanted messages
On September 19, 2020, he set fire to a skip on the driveway of the house which later spread to the garage.
When police arrived, they found Wyngard, of Salford, Greater Manchester, near the address carrying a knife in his backpack.
It was to be the start of a ‘horrible time’ for Ms Welch and her husband, who were relieved when Wyngard was finally apprehended by police.
Wyngard initially pleaded guilty to the stalking charge as well as possession of a knife, criminal damage, and arson.
But on the day he was due to be sentenced on October 26 last year, he indicated he wanted to change his plea – leading to a further delay.
At the time, Judge Michael Leeming apologised to Ms Welch and her husband as they had attended court expecting to see Wyngard sentenced.
Denise, 63, is known as an actress as well as her role on the panel on ITV’s Loose Women
Denise Welch and her husband Lincoln attended Chester Crown Court in October expecting to see Wyngard jailed, but he attempted to change his plea
Wyngard failed in his application to overturn his guilty plea and will be sentenced on Thursday.
The TV personality 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,’ said Ms Welch.
‘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.’
