Craig David could be forced to confront ‘stalker’ in court

Craig David may be forced to come face-to-face with a woman he says has been stalking him for the last five years after she refused to accept a ban on contacting the singer, a court heard.

Tanya Jeal, 31, allegedly believes the star is being “controlled” in the same way as Britney Spears, believes they are dating, and has repeatedly turned up at David’s home and hotels where he is staying, it is said.

She is accused of pestering him on social media, posting on Snapchat “I know you love me”, and has allegedly sent abusive messages to his managers.

Jeal, from Orpington, in Kent, is also said to have turned up to a Craig David concert in Bedford and stood “motionless” on the front row throughout the evening, wearing sunglasses and holding a picture of her with David in 2016.

An interim stalking protection order was imposed last month, banning Jeal from contacting the David after an application by the Met Police.

But Highbury Corner magistrates court heard today that Jeal intends to challenge the imposition of a long-term stalking protection order at a full hearing, and wants the rapper to come to court to give evidence.

“The allegation involves Craig David, that Ms Jeal has been contacting him and that contact has been unwanted on and off since 2016”, said barrister Flora Curtis, representing the Met.

The court was told Jeal “has no bones” about the interim order but intends to fight a permanent ban and “would wish to cross-examine the witness, Mr Craig David”.

District Judge Alexander Jacobs ordered Jeal to make a written application to force David to come to court, rather than his evidence being presented by a police officer.

“(She must) justify why the witness needs to attend as oppose to it being hearsay from the officer in the case”, he said.

“The court will examine carefully a request for a complainant in an allegation such as this to have to come to court.”

Ms Curtis added that David “would be very stressed and find it quite emotionally difficult to be in the same room as her, particularly being asked questions by her”.

Jeal, a fan, has allegedly been harassing and stalking David since 2016 and is “obsessed and infatuated” with the 7 Days singer.

“Jeal would refer to David as her boyfriend on social media despite not being”, state court documents.

“David could see from social media that she was going to be staying at the same hotel as him waiting for him to leave and arrive daily.

“David explains that Jeal would use false pretenses and go through fire exits to get to his hotel room, where she would repeatedly knock on his door with no invite or consent to do so by David.”

It is said Jeal posted a note under David’s door, saying: "I HOPE BUDDA DEALS WITH LIES LIKE YOU, BUDDA WILL TAKE THIS FROM HERE, YOU’RE AN A**HOLE, FROM TANYA, YOUR MOTHERF***ING GIRLFRIEND".

The order application goes on to allege that Jeal was “was in the front row” of the November 2021 Bedford concert and “stood motionless for the whole show wearing sunglasses holding a picture of herself and David from 2016”.

Later in the same month, Jeal is accused of turning up at David’s home “unannounced and ringing the intercom system repeatedly whilst holding up a picture of herself and David.

“After leaving the address, she then went back a second time later that day to again call the intercom system repeatedly.

“Aside from this, Jeal has sent abusive messages to David’s management team as she believes he is under a similar control to that of Britney Spears and Amy Winehouse”.

The judge adjourned the case for a full hearing on a date to be set.

Jeal appeared at court via videolink from her home, after telling the court she was unable to travel to north London. A bid for reporting restrictions on the hearing were rejected by the judge.