Yahoo News Pussycat Dolls’ Ashley Roberts spared from facing accused stalker in court
Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts will be spared from facing her alleged stalker at his trial after a court heard of her concerns about being in the same room as him.
Lewis Langley, 47, faces two charges of stalking.
(Ms Roberts) has expressed concern about having to come to court and be in the same room as the defendant
Prosecutor Alex Alawode
At a pre-trial hearing on Friday for which Langley was not required to be present, Croydon Magistrates’ Court heard an application for the singer to give evidence remotely from her workplace.
Prosecutor Alex Alawode said: “(Ms Roberts) has expressed concern about having to come to court and be in the same room as the defendant.
Sam Gilmour, defending, contested the application, arguing that the radio show host should not be given “special treatment” because of her status as a celebrity.
Ms Gilmour said it is a “stalwart of the justice system” that defendants face their accusers at trial and questioned “why (Ms Roberts) should be given treatment that is special”.
She was a Pussycat Doll back in the day - why she should be given preferential treatment on that basis I know not
Sam Gilmour, defending alleged stalker Lewis Langley
But District Judge Polly Gledhill granted the application on the basis that it is likely to improve the quality of Ms Roberts’ evidence.
Langley, of Thornton Heath, denies two counts of stalking – one in relation to Ms Roberts and another in relation to a woman called Anna Olivera.
He is due to stand summary trial at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on January 19.
